Van Persie fires Gunners hat-trick

Robin van Persie smashed a hat-trick as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory over Barclays Premier League strugglers Wigan, who finished the game with 10 men at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners should have been out of sight by half-time, but had only Robin van Persie's 21st-minute strike to show for their dominance as Latics keeper Ali Al Habsi made a string of fine saves.

The in-form Dutchman fired in a second just before the hour, but then blasted a penalty over the bar after Gary Caldwell had been sent off for pulling back Cesc Fabregas. However, van Persie completed his hat-trick with five minutes left to make it six in the last three games.

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