A second-half penalty by Mikel Arteta earned Arsenal [ Images ] a 1-0 victory at Wigan Athletic on Saturday to move the Gunners up to third place in the Premier League.
The Spaniard dispatched his spot kick past Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi after 60 minutes following Theo Walcott's [ Images ] tumble in the penalty area under a clumsy challenge from Jean Beausejour.
Arsenal's third consecutive Premier League victory moved them above Tottenham Hotspur [ Images ] and Chelsea [ Images ] onto 30 points from 18 games although Tottenham can move back above their north London [ Images ] rivals if they beat Stoke City [ Images ] later.
Chelsea face Aston Villa [ Images ] on Sunday.
Wigan, third from bottom, had the best chance of a poor first half when Arouna Kone sprinted through on goal but dragged a left-footed shot wide.
Arsenal were more lively after the break and Walcott, who is still to sign a new contract for the club, was denied by Al-Habsi after he was picked out by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Wigan's response was impressive and they forced Arsenal into some desperate defending on a rain-sodden pitch.
Kone had another chance but was denied by Arsenal's Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny and Dave Jones thumped a shot narrowly wide of the upright with Szczesny rooted to the spot.
Arsenal held out, however, to put some pressure on their rivals for a top-four place.
Later on Saturday, Manchester City [ Images ] can close the gap with leaders Manchester United [ Images ] to three points when they host bottom club Reading.
Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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