Martinez confident Wigan will recover

It was understandable that Martinez was unwilling to focus on his own situation at such a delicate time for his club.

Just three days previously he had secured the first major trophy in Wigan's 81-year history.

Manager Roberto Martinez insists Wigan will come back stronger despite a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal ending their eight-season stay in the Premier League.

Wigan, who won the FA Cup on Saturday, had to beat the Gunners to ensure any realistic chance of survival.

"We will keep defying the odds, keep moving forward and make sure this football club has an incredibly bright future," Martinez said.

But when asked about his future, he said: "This is not the time for that."

Martinez has been linked with a move away from the DW Stadium and soon-to-be managerless Everton are reportedly interested in the Spaniard.

However, the former Swansea boss wants to remain focused on their final game in the top flight against Aston Villa on Sunday, when his FA Cup-winning side can show their appreciation to the Latics fans.

"We've got one more game. We need to reflect and share our good feelings with the fans after winning the FA Cup," he told BBC Sport.

Lukas Podolski put Arsenal ahead but Shaun Maloney's equaliser just before half-time gave Wigan's travelling supporters hope they could close the four-point gap on 17th-placed Sunderland.

However, second-half goals from Theo Walcott, Podolski and Aaron Ramsey sent Wigan into the Championship just three days after they claimed their first major trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley. They become the first FA Cup winners to be relegated in the same season.

"The relegation is something we can rectify," Martinez told Sky Sports. "The club is on a fantastic financial footing. We are stronger than ever."

Martinez admitted he did not expect Wigan to go down but reiterated his positivity about the future for the club who have a new training ground development ongoing and talented players like Callum McManaman and James McCarthy in their ranks.

"I never expected this," he said. "The players have been great ambassadors for Wigan Athletic. I don't think we've deserved to be in the bottom three but we are.

"The players have grown massively over the last few seasons and the last 10 months.

"No-one expected Wigan to be up here for eight seasons but we'll look forward."

Martinez said injuries played a part in Wigan's demise, especially as they had just 75 hours to recover from an energy-sapping game against City at a rain-soaked Wembley on Saturday.

The Latics have lost Maynor Figueroa to a groin injury, as well as Jean Beausejour to a hamstring problem and Ronnie Stam, who has ankle ligament damage, in recent weeks.

That has added to problems for Antolin Alcaraz throughout the campaign and fellow defender Ivan Ramis has been out since January with a knee injury.

"I think it's been our best season in terms of performances, but the injuries in the back line are something I have never seen before," Martinez said.

"We have to have so many different partnerships and keep changing, and that caused us problems."

BBC