Wilshere hails Arsenal's fighting spirit

Jack Wilshere hailed Arsenal's fighting spirit after the Gunners ground out a 1-0 victory over Wigan that lifted them back into the Champions League places.

The Gunners had been at their free-flowing best in thumping Reading 5-2 on Monday but had to show a different side to their game in Saturday's win at the DW Stadium and made it three Barclays Premier League wins in a row thanks to Mikel Arteta's disputed penalty.

Arsene Wenger's side have been criticised in the past for slipping up in such games, and Wilshere said: "We got the points and we showed a different side to our game."

He added: "It's a tough place to come to, Wigan, and they play a strange formation compared to other teams in England. They caused us some problems but we dealt well with it.

"It was a big adjustment with the pitch and the conditions but we showed great character. We know we can come to places like this and dig out results and we have to keep doing that.

"All the big teams when they come here, maybe they don't play very well but they seem to get results and we've done that."

It has been an excellent week for Arsenal with two victories and five players signing new long-term contracts, including Wilshere.

The 20-year-old has been in very good form since returning to action in October following more than a year out with an ankle injury.

He said: "It was nice to sign the new contract and I'm thankful for all the support the club have given me.

"This is a great club, everyone can see that, and for me it's like home. My friends and family are down the road, I've grown up at this club so I really feel like part of the family."