Sebastien Squillaci heads into his own net for Wigan to equalise

By Marc Vesty

A late own goal by Sebastien Squillaci salvaged a draw for 10-man Wigan which moved them out of the relegation zone and stopped Arsenal going joint top.

Wigan went ahead when Charles N'Zogbia was tripped by Laurent Koscielny in the box and Ben Watson scored the penalty.

Andrey Arshavin equalised with a superb volley into the corner before Nicklas Bendtner coolly fired Arsenal in front.

Wigan had N'Zogbia sent off late on but Squillaci headed into his own net to give the home side a deserved point.

After beating champions Chelsea 3-1 on Boxing Day, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made eight changes to his starting XI in an effort to freshen things up, with games against Birmingham and Manchester City to come in the next seven days.

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But that squad rotation left Arsenal looking ragged in the opening stages, with a lack of cohesion causing possession to be wasted frequently and a nervous-looking back line leaving Wenger's side exposed against the pace of N'Zogbia and power of Hugo Rodallega.

And after Rodallega missed two early opportunities, the first a header, the second a low drive easily held by Lukasz Fabianski, it was N'Zogbia who created the opening goal.

The impressive Frenchman drove forward with purpose down the right before cutting infield and darting in between Vassiriki Diaby and Koscielny.

Centre-back Koscielny was left off balance on the edge of the area and tried to pull his foot out of the challenge but the winger hit the ground after minimal contact and the referee was quick to point to the spot.

Watson stepped up and smashed an unstoppable penalty into the right corner with 17 minutes on the clock.

Wigan, unbeaten in five games at the DW Stadium, looked well in control but the catalyst for Arsenal's improvement finally came when Diaby left the field with a calf injury and Jack Wilshere came into the fray, bringing some much needed determination and urgency to lacklustre Arsenal.

When Arsenal's equaliser came it was a moment of inspiration from Arshavin - who had not featured against Chelsea three days earlier.

Bendtner's goal-bound shot was well saved by goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi but fell to Arsahvin on the edge of the area and the Russian swivelled, shaped his body and angled a sumptuous volley into the corner.

Just five minutes later the turnaround was complete when Arshavin toed the ball through to Bendtner, who slotted into the left corner from close range just before half-time.

That really should have been the signal for title-chasing Arsenal to move into a higher gear and dominate but Wigan showed a fighting spirit which should stand them in good stead for the second half of the season.

The gear change never happened and although chances were few and far between in the second half it looked like below-par Arsenal would escape the DW Stadium with three points - especially when N'Zogbia was sent off with 12 minutes to play.

An off the ball incident led to N'Zogbia confronting Wilshere before leaning his head into the Englishman and giving referee Lee Probert no choice but to show the red card.

However, even the dismissal could not break the Latics spirit and the Lancashire side received their richly deserved reward minutes later when Arsenal's defensive Achilles heel came to the fore once again.

A deep cross from a corner caused panic in the Arsenal back line and after Rodallega squared with his header, Squillaci, under heavy pressure from Gary Caldwell, turned his header into his own net.

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