Adebayor on target for Gunners

Adebayor, making his second start after returning from an ankle injury, struck in the 16th minute at the Emirates Stadium and could have added to his tally only to be denied by Chris Kirkland and the woodwork.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had Samir Nasri limp off after a robust challenge from Wilson Palacios but could reflect on three points that builds on last Sunday's win over Chelsea.

The visitors nearly took an early lead when Palacios' deflected shot almost wrong-footed Manuel Almunia, but the Arsenal goalkeeper recovered to gather.

Palacios also drilled a dangerous ball across Almunia's goal, but after an Arsenal corner was partially cleared, Cesc Fabregas passed the ball back into the penalty area and it fell kindly for Adebayor to tuck away his 10th goal of the campaign.

Robin van Persie was in the hunt for a second and could have earned a penalty when Maynor Figueroa clipped his heels as he raced onto an Adebayor header. The Dutchman stayed on his feet and Titus Bramble got back to block when the shot came.

There were worrying scenes for the Arsenal bench when Nasri stayed down after a robust challenge from Palacios and the France youngster eventually had to be replaced by Emmanuel Eboue in the 32nd minute.

Adebayor struck the post in first-half stoppage-time, before Emile Heskey headed straight at Almunia after the restart. Van Persie raced through twice, only to shoot wide each time, and Bacary Sagna had a near-post header saved by Kirkland.

Wigan pleaded with Steve Bennett for a penalty when Kolo Toure tangled with Henri Camara but the referee waved play on.

Adebayor should have added to his tally but headed wide from a corner and had a one-on-one effort saved by Kirkland, before Heskey went close with a minute remaining - but headed just over the bar.