Martinez eyeing cup boost

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is looking for a boost from Tuesday’s Carling Cup clash with Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Latics go into the quarter-final on the back of Saturday’s disappointing 3-1 loss to West Ham which left Martinez’s side languishing in the Premier League bottom three.

But the Wigan boss is refusing to get down-hearted, despite the tough task ahead against the high-flying Gunners.

The Latics beat Arsenal on away goals in the semi-finals of the competition back in 2006 before losing to Manchester United in the final and Martinez would love for another famous victory over the Gunners, believing it will also act as a boost for his team in the league.

Speaking from the Wigan team hotel in Hertfordshire, the Latics boss told Sky Sports News: “We are really excited, obviously we had the disappointment at the weekend and in a way we couldn’t get out on a football pitch quick enough.
Great memories

“And the Carling Cup has been a very good competition for us this season and with great memories in the past.

“So we are looking forward to the real occasion and the challenge that we have got tomorrow.”

Asked where the competition ranks in his priorities, the under-pressure Wigan boss replied: “Well, we all know the aim of our season is quite clearly in the league and that’s where we have always been focusing.

“But any game of football is important for many reasons – it helps to show and strengthen the competition in the squad.

“We can work in many things and that’s something that we’ve been doing this season. Throughout the campaign you’re going to have suspensions, you’re going to have injuries and it is important that the squad is ready.

“And this competition has been really helping towards that side, it allows players to develop and show what they can do so in a way we want to use this competition as a help and a boost to our league form.”

Changes

Martinez admitted there would be changes to the side which lost at Upton Park on Saturday.

“We have to share the effort, it is a really demanding period,” he added.

“As you know, we had two sending-offs against Manchester United, we have got three injuries at the moment so the squad is a little bit lighter than it has been the whole of the season and this is a moment where we need to share the effort in the squad.

“But whoever is going to be on the pitch, it is a unique opportunity to show what we can do and we need to make sure that we perform as a team against a very talented side.

“Coming to the Emirates is always a real challenge, it is always a special football occasion and that’s something we are going to make sure we are ready to get rid of the disappointment that we had at the weekend.”