The Latics went into yesterday's clash on a high after claiming a first victory since August against Sunderland last weekend, but they shot themselves in the foot in the 28th minute by allowing Mikel Arteta to score a soft goal.

Just over a minute later Thomas Vermaelen nodded in a corner to make it two, and there was no way back for the hosts, who shipped further goals to Gervinho and Robin van Persie.

The result, coupled with Blackburn's victory over Swansea, sent Wigan back to the foot of the table.

And with matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United to come this month, they face a major challenge if they are to avoid staying there into the new year.

Martinez said: "Obviously we are disappointed because we were really excited going into the game. I felt the team reached very good levels in the last two games but after the first 15 minutes I don't think we could be ourselves.

"Every game in the Premier League is difficult enough, every game brings its own problems, and I feel if we can bring our form in the manner we did in the first 15 minutes and make sure we control the key moments in games, every performance becomes different.

"We need to give credit to Arsenal. I thought we gave them a strong lead but they took advantage of that. We need to make sure we learn from it and it doesn't happen again.

"We've got big games coming up in terms of playing the top sides in the competition but this is the league you want to be in and we're excited to play these glamorous sides.

"But we need to learn that we shouldn't get affected by conceding goals. There are ways to lose and I thought we lost a little bit too easily."

For Arsenal it was another step towards the top four - they are now only two points behind Chelsea - and away from the dismal start that saw them pick up only seven points from their first seven games.

Defeats such as the 8-2 loss against Manchester United in August provoked some fans into calling for manager Arsene Wenger's head.

The supporters who travelled to the DW Stadium yesterday chanted the Frenchman's name, and he accepts both reactions are part and parcel of the job.

"Our job is to keep your focus and do as well as you can do and take all the good and the bad," said Wenger.

"I just try to give my best for my club. When people are not happy then I am not happy as well, but it's part of the job."

The progress made by Manchester City and Tottenham this season has made the race for the Champions League spots one of the hottest for several years, and Wenger feels consistency will ultimately be rewarded.

He said: "I'm confident we can achieve it. It looks at the moment that all the teams at the top are winning comfortably so it will be down to the teams who are the most consistent."