Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

For large spells, though, the Gunners - now unbeaten for 28 matches - had been frustrated by a determined Wigan side, who will have new manager Steve Bruce in charge from Monday.

Eventually, though, Arsenal made the breakthrough when, with just seven minutes left, captain William Gallas headed in at the near post.

Czech winger Tomas Rosicky made sure of the result with a well-taken goal two minutes later, which capitalised on Manchester United's defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

However, victory came at a cost though as Theo Walcott was carried off on a stretcher after a challenge from Wigan's England striker Emile Heskey.

It was a bright start by the home side, with Walcott involved in the early sorties deep into Wigan territory.

However, in the fifth minute, the Latics - who had lost seven straight matches in the league - thought they had snatched a shock lead when Marcus Bent was put clear and beat Manuel Almunia only to be called back by the offside flag.

Walcott was looking lively and went down in the left channel from Rosicky's pass, but his cutback across the six-yard box was hacked clear.

Wigan, though, had another chance when Paul Scharner sent a free header wide from a left-wing corner.

Arsenal were unable to find their normal passing rhythm as Wigan were quick to close the hosts down.

After 21 minutes, though, the Gunners cut the visitors open with a fine exchange of passes on the edge of the box.

Full-back Sagna fed Emmanuel Adebayor, who turned his marker and played a neat one-two with Walcott.

The African then drilled in a low shot from the penalty spot, which Mike Pollitt kept out with a fine reaction save.

Walcott was at the centre of Arsenal's attacks - and a dash down the right to cut the ball back from the goal-line deserved better than Emmanuel Eboue to miss his kick completely inside the six-yard box at the near post.

There was a warning for Arsenal, though, when Bent put a header over following a deep cross from Emerson Boyce.

With 10 minutes to go to the break, a desperate block from Salomon Olembe denied Walcott - in the Wigan six-yard box again.

Arsenal again faced a wall of blue across midfield as they looked to get their passing game going again.

Slowly they started to mount a sustained period of pressure without being able to find a telling pass with which to unlock the Wigan defence.

When a flowing move did release Adebayor into the box, Boyce made a fine saving tackle.

Then suddenly at the other end, a mix-up between Gallas and Kolo Toure gifted the ball to Bent just outside the Arsenal area. However, the Wigan striker was not able to make the most of his unexpected chance and drilled a low shot wide.

Pollitt again showed good reactions to beat away the ball at his near post following a deflected free-kick from Denilson.

Arsenal finally got themselves in front with just seven minutes left. Sagna's first-time cross to the near post saw Gallas arrive ahead of marker Titus Bramble to nod the ball past Pollitt.

The result was assured when Rosicky was fed on the overlap by Bendtner and he made no mistake from the edge of the box, netting off the inside of the far post.