Arsenal climbed to third place in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta's second half penalty sealed a 1-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

With Chelsea not in action until Sunday's clash with Aston Villa and Tottenham hosting Stoke later on Saturday, Arsenal took advantage of an opportunity to get back into the top four.

The only goal of a scrappy encounter arrived in the 60th minute when Spanish midfielder Arteta fired home from the spot after referee Jonathan Moss gave a penalty for Jean Beausejour's clip on Theo Walcott.

For all the talk of a crisis enveloping Arsene Wenger's side after their humiliating League Cup defeat at League Two minnows Bradford, the Gunners have now won their last three league matches and are back in the race to secure a Champions League place.

"It's a big win for us, that's three in a row now," Arteta said. "I am really happy with the points. It was a tough game, the conditions were really difficult."

Wigan remain in the relegation zone after their fourth defeat in their last five league games.