Arsenal go into this game on the back of a fantastic win in Prague. A difficult tie started in the perfect way, a 2-0 victory, amassing two away goals and a clean sheet. This should make the return leg a little easier and puts one foot in the group stages of the Champions League. Sunday’s visit to Blackburn should be very similar. A tough match in which we need a result is required if Arsene Wenger’s side think they can challenge for the title. Blackburn with close down quickly and give Arsenal no time on the ball. Tackles will fly in and any petulance must be avoided. Gilberto was sent off at Ewood Park last season and we cant afford a repeat of that.Blackburn have started the season with a win away at ‘Boro. They lost star man Benny McCarthy to a horrific injury so he will miss the visit of Arsenal. However in Roque Santa Cruz they have an able replacement. With Champions League experience with Bayern he has shown he can handle the Premiership. He is big and strong in the air so the back 4 will be kept busy and Lehmann will be called upon many a time. They can play the hungry Matt Derbyshire with him, his record is very good. They could go with the more tricky Shabani Nonda who would look to get into Arsenal’s back 4 quickly.
Although the attack looks very strong, it is the wingers of Blackburn that will pose the biggest threat come Sunday. Former Arsenal trainee David Bentley is in superb form and pushing for an England place. He has pace in abundance and a brilliant delivery from out wide. On the other flank they have Morten Gamst-Pedersen who was recently linked with Arsenal. He has a fantastic left foot and takes a deadly free kick; he will need to be closed down early and will be a handful for Sagna or Eboue, as will Bentley for Clichy.
The centre of midfield for their opening fixture was Dunn and Savage. Arsenal will look to overrun this partnership with quick passing. They may go 5 in midfield in order to control it and dictate the match. Wenger could go with the powerful Diaby instead of Flamini. He will offer more directness and strong tackling which will be required. Hleb could well play off Van Persie like he did when Fulham came to the Emirates. This will help the midfield and mean Arsenal aren’t chasing the ball but making the opposition do the work. Andre Ooijer played at right back and if he does again Rosicky should look to exploit him with his lack of pace. Bentley will not want to track back so this will leave room for Clichy. I see this as being the key area for Arsenal.
Samba and Nelsen are two very large strong centre backs, they aren’t the slowest either. Van Persie likes to score against Blackburn but he will need to be on top of his game on Sunday. He will get no time and space and will have to take the chances when they come. He will need support from midfield runners and it is the midfield that may well get the goals. Wenger could take a gamble and play Adebayor (if fit) or Bendtner with Van Persie to give him support. This will pose more of a goal threat from the forwards but maybe leave the midfield a little weak.
Arsenal can win at Ewood Park; they did last year in the league with 10 men. However they will need to be on the top of their game and take the chances when they come. If we are wasteful and sloppy at the back, we will be punished.
Blackburn’s last game vs ‘Boro
Blackburn:
Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock,
Bentley, Dunn (Mokoena 90), Savage, Pedersen,
McCarthy (Santa Cruz 60), Roberts (Derbyshire 78).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Kerimoglu.
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