When Arsène Wenger made William Gallas Arsenal’s captain, responses varied only from “oh” to “really?” On Saturday, Gallas underlined why Wenger made the right choice. The home team were shorn of their first-choice midfield and up against a Wigan Athletic side intent on proving that they had resilience and spirit as their new manager watched from the stands. The clock was ticking, the Arsenal fans were restless, so Gallas stormed up the pitch and put his team ahead.

“William gives everything for the club,” Kolo Touré, the Arsenal defender, said. “He helps the young players. Both on and off the pitch William is a really good captain. He is loud in the dressing-room, he has a big heart and everything he says and does is for the team and the club.

“William is a really mature player, he has played in a World Cup final, he is experienced, over 30, and with age and experience it really helps as a captain. I have played under some fantastic captains and you just follow them.”

Gallas careered around the pitch after his headed goal as the Wigan players sank to the turf. They had held out for 83 minutes but knew instantly that there was no way back for them. Arsenal were without Cesc Fàbregas, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb, their most fêted players. If ever one of the league’s smaller clubs had a chance to take a point at the Emirates Stadium it would have been on Saturday. That Wigan instantly capitulated was illustrated by Tomas Rosicky, who made it 2-0 two minutes later.

“The performance up until the last ten minutes was outstanding,” Mar-cus Bent, the Wigan striker, said. “We need to be bold, improve, and it will be easier with a new manager.”

That manager is Steve Bruce, whose financial wranglings with Birmingham City meant that his involvement was limited to a few stirring words of encouragement. His delayed appointment meant that Frank Barlow reluctantly took charge of Wigan for one last match. Barlow said that he was “very, very glad” he could hand over to Bruce. “I’m not keen on the top job,” he said. It remains to be seen if Bruce, whom Barlow worked with at Birmingham under Trevor Francis, will keep him on his staff.

If the result was expected, more surprising was the nervousness of the home fans. Arsenal have won 14 of their 33 points with goals scored in the last ten minutes so you might think the supporters would have more faith. “They play such an enthralling and engaging game,” Barlow said. “You sit there and just admire it.”

Some critics gripe about it, though, as if Wenger is taunting the English by producing such entertaining football without need of English players. Wenger, however, believes that the England team are capable of performing just as fluidly and attractively. “I feel English football is good,” he said.

Arsenal (4411): M Almunia 6 - B Sagna 7, K Touré 6, W Gallas 7, G Clichy 6 – E Eboué 6 (sub: Eduardo da Silva, 68min 5), L Diarra 5, Denilson 6, T Rosicky 7 – T Walcott 6 (sub: N Bendtner, 80) – E Adebayor 6.Substitutes not used:J Lehmann, P Senderos, A Song.Booked: Gallas. Next: Aston Villa (a).

Wigan Athletic (4-4-1-1): M Pollitt 5 – E Boyce 5, T Bramble 6, A Granqvist 6, K Kilbane 5 – M Brown 6, D Landzaat 6, P Scharner 6 (sub: J Skoko, 90), S Olembe 5 (sub: E Heskey, 68 5) – J Koumas 5 – M Bent 6 (sub: A Sibierski, 84). Substitutes not used: C Kirkland, F Hall. Booked: Granqvist, Brown, Bent, Heskey. Next: Manchester City (h).