Having produced a famous 2-0 win in the San Siro over AC Milan to progress to the quarter-finals in Europe's premier competition in midweek, the Gunners were brought back down to earth at a muddy JJB Stadium.

It was their third successive Barclays Premier League draw and their advantage at the top is now only two points from Manchester United, who have played one match fewer.

Tuesday was an historic night for Arsenal but Wenger insisted they had put it to the back of their minds ahead of the trip to Wigan.

"It is always an anti-climax to come from the San Siro to Wigan," The Gunners boss said.

"To go from playing in the Champions League against one of the biggest clubs in the world to one fighting for Premier League survival is always going to be difficult.

"We were focused, we prepared ourselves mentally to face a difficult pitch and we still had chances to win the game.

"Overall, we did what we could and gave absolutely everything and we didn't give any chances away.

"Wigan deserve credit because they fought very hard but as long as we didn't score the first goal, they didn't come out."

Wenger also criticised the playing surface - as many other managers and even home boss Steve Bruce has done in the past - but refused to blame it for contributing to their struggles.

"The pitch is a disaster. It is disrespectful for the fans who come and pay money to see that," he added.

In truth, Arsenal struggled to break down a resilient Wigan defence which is gradually helping them pick up useful points in the battle against relegation.

The visitors failed to create any real clear-cut chances and their best opportunity came after just 42 seconds when striker Emmanuel Adebayor forced goalkeeper Chris Kirkland into a low save on the edge of his penalty area after racing on to a through-ball.

After that, it was a tale of some good goalkeeping by Kirkland, stout defending by the entire home back four and a phenomenal work-rate in midfield from the likes of Wilson Palacios and Michael Brown to deny Wenger's side any space.

Fabregas had a chance to snatch victory with two minutes to go but the Spain midfielder saw his effort smothered by the on-rushing Kirkland.

Wigan boss Bruce was delighted with his team's performance, which helped them to a tally of five points from their last three matches.

The result also gave the Latics their first league point over Arsenal.

"We all know a bad pitch is produces a leveller and before the game we would have taken a point," said Bruce, who felt his side could have had a late penalty when Jason Koumas' shot appeared to strike Fabregas on the arm.

"I have just seen the shot from Koumas and it does hit Fabregas. He has moved towards the ball."

Emile Heskey limped off early in the second half with a foot injury and Bruce admitted it was to the same foot in which he broke a metatarsal earlier this season.

However, he said they must wait for scans tomorrow before determining how serious the problem was.

"Heskey kicked the bottom of William Gallas' foot and he will go for an x-ray tomorrow," Bruce revealed.

"It is the same foot he broke but we don't know the extent of the damage yet."