JOIN USWigan Athletic became the first team to be relegated from England’s top flight in the same season as winning the FA Cup after they lost 4-1 at Arsenal, with Lukas Podolski scoring twice, in the Premier League on Tuesday.
The victory keeps Arsenal in pole position to claim fourth spot and a place in next year’s Champions League. They lead north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, in fifth spot, by one point with the last round of games to be played on Sunday. In Tuesday’s other game, Manchester City, who sacked manager Roberto Mancini on Monday, won 2-0 at relegated Reading with forwards Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko scoring late in each half.
City, last season’s champions, are now guaranteed second place after Brian Kidd took caretaker charge of the team following the departure of Mancini and his number two, David Platt, who left the club earlier on Tuesday.
At the Emirates, Arsenal dominated the first 20 minutes and took the lead in the 11th when Podolski headed home from six metres after the Wigan defence failed to deal with a corner.
The visitors came back into the game and referee Mike Dean penalised a tackle by midfielder Mikel Arteta on Wigan’s Shaun Maloney just outside the Arsenal area shortly before halftime.
The Premier League’s three relegated teams will be replaced by Cardiff City, who won the second-tier Championship title, and Hull City. Crystal Palace and Watford meet in the play-off final on May 27 to decide the third promoted team.