• Premier League Plays of the Day

125 years of history, 90 minutes of agony

Robin van Persie ensured Arsenal's 125th anniversary celebrations went well © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Fergie sets Rooney scoring challenge
  
• News: Wrap: Utd cruise, Arsenal & Liverpool claim nervy wins
  

Four better or worse
As Arsenal celebrated their 125th anniversary, Arsene Wenger revived a proud Gunners tradition by playing four centre halves across the back. With his first and second choice full-backs all injured, Wenger named Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou in a bow to the Golden [George] Graham era. And it paid dividends too, as the Gunners kept a clean sheet.

Born in the Premier League era
Home-grown talent Ezekiel Fryers made history as he made his debut at Old Trafford. As he came on for Patrice Evra after 67 minutes, he became the first Manchester United player to play in the Premier League having been born after the division's inception in 1992. Feeling old now? Us too.

The ball-ooning cost of football
As part of the anniversary festivities at Emirates Stadium, referee Howard Webb used a special sixpence for the coin toss ahead of Arsenal's 1-0 win over Everton - the cost of a ball back in 1886.

With so many players on the treatment table, perhaps that sixpence would be best put towards Wenger's transfer budget? Or maybe put it in a savings account - by the club's 250th anniversary that might really be worth something...

If at first you don't succeed...
Not only did Victor Moses help Wigan to a crucial victory over West Brom that lifted his side out of the relegation zone - winning the decisive penalty, converted by Jordi Gomez - but he also ended an unwanted personal record in the record.

With his 46th shot of the season, the former Crystal Palace player finally notched his first goal of the campaign. He had previously taken more attempts than any other player without scoring - so his fine equalising effort was a testament to perserverance if nothing else.

A fitting scoreline
On their 125th anniversary, Arsenal won 1-0. Somewhere [Golden] George Graham is smiling...

Pressure, pushing down on me...
With Wigan's win and Bolton's defeat, Owen Coyle's side dropped to the very foot of the Premier League table. After Steve Bruce was sacked last week - while Sunderland sat reasonably safely outside the relegation zone - maybe it will be a nervy few days in the Coyle household.

A throwback to a different time
Continuing the old-school theme, all seven of Saturday's games were 3pm kick-offs, giving the day a real retro feel to it (well, as long as your name isn't Ezekiel Fryers). With no real stand-out fixtures, an evening Premier League match was snubbed in favour of the classic that is Barnsley v Ipswich. Sometimes change is good...

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.