Tag Archives: Blackburn

Match Preview: Arsenal v Blackburn

  By jtom | 04/02/2012 - 7:50 AM | Match Preview, Premier League
2 Comments

Arsenal will look to avoid a repeat of their 4-3 loss at Ewood Park, which was one of the worst results for Arsene Wenger’s side this season. If the Gunners struggle against Blackburn on Saturday, the knives will be out early at the Emirates Stadium.

We could be without the services of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is apparently having trouble with his knee. At his press conference on Friday, Arsene Wenger said that the Ox will have a test to determine his availability for Saturday. Also, it does not appear as though Kieran Gibbs is quite ready to make his return. Other than that, there are no new injuries.

In the lead-up to this match, Wenger has hinted that he may rest several players, including Robin van Persie:

“I will rotate a little bit because many players have given a lot. [With Van Persie] the temptation is there. We are in a situation at the moment where he is the main goalscorer, so I will maybe have to build a team that works around him.” (Source: Arsenal.com)

Resting van Persie when we are trying to turn around our terrible league form is a bad idea. Sure, we have played two matches in the last seven days, but we are at a critical point in the season. Not only is van Persie the captain, but he also our most influential player. Even though he failed to score against Bolton, it was very clear that the Dutchman was our only player of supreme quality.

On the other hand, an injury to van Persie could completely derail our already misrable season.

One of the main matches that has contributed to making this season miserable was the 4-3 debacle at Blackburn last September. We scored two own goals, yet Steve Kean still seemed to want to take all the credit for winning the match. Of course, he was soon humbled as his side rotted at bottom of the table. Not to mention the angry mob awaiting him at each home match.

In my opinion, the 4-3 was worse than the 8-2, or any other game this season. We didn’t just shoot ourselves in the foot; we fired a nuclear missile straight into our hearts. No reasonable explanation can be given for scoring in your own net twice. We were up 2-1 at half-time and then Blackburn (with the help of Song and Koscielny) scored three goals. Chamakh actually pulled one back with a decent header, and he hasn’t scored since.

What made it even worse was that Blackburn were (and still are) a fairly terrible team. Since then, Steve Kean has sparked a mini-revival, though Rovers still reside in the relegation zone. Recent victories over Man United and Fulham have brightened the spirits of some Blackburn supporters.

Christopher Samba will not be included in the Blackburn squad to face us, which is a relief. The hulking centre-back was not sold in January despite making it clear the he wanted to leave Ewood Park. It’s good that we didn’t buy Samba. If the reports are true, he is despicable for holding his club hostage and threatening not to give 100% for Rovers anymore. What a captain!

Speaking of despicable, by now many Gooners have already heard about the bin-bag protest that is set to take place at Ashburton Grove on Saturday. Apparently, protesters will place black bin bags over the empty seats to bring notice to the dwindling attendances. Arsene Wenger was asked about the protest during his pre-match press conference:

“I would not like to make any comment on that. I feel we have to be above that and show our quality on the football pitch and not respond to every individual provocation.” (Source: The Guardian)

I am of the opinion that a supporter paying extremely high season ticket prices can do whatever they like at the stadium. Whether that be jeering, booing, whistling, banners, or bin-bag protests. I would not participate in the activity myself, but people do have a right to ‘support’ their club in their own way. However, this protest will definitely not help the team on the pitch and could provoke infighting between Arsenal fans.

Of course, if Arsenal record a routine 3-0 win over Blackburn, the likelihood of infighting and general negativity will be greatly diminished. If the match goes in the same direction as the last time these two sides met, then watch out. It could get ugly.

Match: Arsenal v Blackburn

Location: Emirates Stadium

Kickoff: 13:00 GMT, 8:00am EST

Television: None (UK), ESPN (USA)

Share

Wenger: Arsenal were “terrible” against Blackburn

  By jtom | 18/09/2011 - 7:30 AM | Arsene Wenger, Premier League
Leave a comment

Arsene Wenger said that Arsenal were “terrible” in their 4-3 defeat at Ewood Park. Wenger said he is worried about the problems at the back after conceding two own goals.

Wenger was forced to scrap his normal post-match comments after witnessing the sad performance his squad put in. Arsene said (from ESPN): “It is terrible. It is just not good enough. Of course we are very frustrated – the spirit in the team is quite willing but if you look at the number of goals we have conceded that is not good enough.

“You cannot come here and concede four goals the way we did today. On the other hand I believe that the group will take off but it’s important that we get quick results.

“You cannot say you have no worry when you see the performance we have put in today. It’s just not defensively solid enough when you are 2-1 in front against Blackburn and you know if you are solid enough defensively you will score goals.

“It’s not all negative today. That’s, in fact, the frustrating thing as well. At the moment we do not have the capability to focus defensively to win games like that. It is important you do not give cheap goals away like that.”

There were flashes of brilliance from the Arsenal attack, but all that was washed away by the incoherent defending. When a team scores three goals, they expect to win, but this squad of Gunners should not expect to win any match anytime soon. The back four look like conceding goals every time a long ball is launched into the penalty area.

Wenger went on to say that his team scored six goals, but he went one over. The Arsenal players actually combined for five goals, but two were tapped past Szczesny.

In a way, this loss was worse the 8-2 humiliation in Manchester. Most Gooners, including myself, expected Arsenal to lose that match. With the form United were in and the absence of key players from our team, it was set up to be a  nightmare for Arsenal. I, along with fellow Arsenal supporters, expected at least a point from this match if not three.

The goals United scored against us were mostly quality strikes. Blackburn made our defenders look like fools. Anytime they felt the need, Rovers simply lofted a ball or a low cross in our penalty area just to see what Gunner melted this time.

During the match at Old Trafford, I was left watching in shocked silence. While watching this match, I was yelling at the television. The mistakes against Blackburn were so simple. Poor positioning and own goals cost us the match, and I suspect Arsenal supporters will be left depressed from this game for quite a while.

Arsene Wenger knows that a portion of the fans and press will call for him to be sacked this week, but he said he is not worried about the speculation (from ESPN): “Speculation is part of modern life. What can I do about that? My future is focusing on what I do well and that means giving my best for the club. I have no influence on the speculation.”

Winning will solve all of Arsene’s problems. We have Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night in the Carling Cup. If Arsenal win, nothing will be made of it (and rightfully so) because Shrewsbury play in League 2. If we do not win, it will get very, very ugly.

Share

Blackburn 4-3 Arsenal: Own goals cost Gunners

  By jtom | 18/09/2011 - 7:00 AM | Match Report, Premier League
1 Comment

Arsenal fell to Blackburn at Ewood Park due to two own goals and terrible positioning.

Yakubu scored twice for Rovers in his debut for the club. The big Nigerian striker took advantage of the lack of organization in the Arsenal back-line. The Gunners attempted offside traps to stop the poaching Yakubu, but always one defender was left behind.

Let’s go through this nightmare of a match in chronological order. Arsenal started the match very well, and the attacking play led to Gervinho’s first competitive goal for the Gunners. Alex Song made a wonderful pass, and Gervinho cut the ball into the charging Christopher Samba. The ball deflected slightly before finding its way into the far corner of the net in the 10th minute.

For a while, it looked as if Arsenal could dominate the match, but Yakubu scored his first goal against the run of play. Junior Hoillet threaded a ball through to Yakubu, who took a quick stab at it. It was a fantastic finish. Andre Santos, starting in his first game for Arsenal, trailed the rest of the back four and allowed Yakubu to stay onside.

Mikel Arteta scored his first in an Arsenal shirt in the 34th minute. Song, again, sprung the break with a pass to Aaron Ramsey. The Welsh midfielder cut a cross back to Arteta, who blasted the ball into the back of the net. Arsenal were in a good position heading into halftime.

Blackburn notched the equaliser from an Arsenal own goal in the 50th minute. A Blackburn free kick bounced off the leg of the unfortunate Alex Song and rolled into the net. The ball should have been cleared long before it made its way to Song, but no Arsenal defender stepped up to head it away. It was a shame for Song, who was terrific otherwise.

In the 53rd minute, Bacary Sagna went down with what appeared to be an injury. Johan Djourou was brought on to play right back. Djourou does not yet have the positional sense to play in the centre, so why did Wenger think he could play at right back?

Per Mertesacker’s incredibly slow reactions were on display in the 54th minute. Mauro Formica made a quick turn and found himself in open space in front of Szczesny. Thankfully, our tremendous keeper made the great save, but Mertesacker seemed to be still turning around by the time the play was over. Formica easily ran past the German defender.

Yakubu scored the winner for Rovers in the 59th minute. He appeared to be a touch offside as Martin Olsson sent the low cross, but the official kept his flag down. Two easy goals from Yakubu, who completed a deadline day move from Everton.

Just as the Gunners starting to create chances, Laurent Koscielny poked the ball into the Arsenal goal.  Olsson troubled the defenders with another low cross, and Koscielny did not possess the composure to clear the ball. Instead, he tipped it into the net to make the score 4-2.

It was at this moment, that I started to yell at the television. I knew it would not do any good, but one can only take so much suffering and frustration. I urged the defenders to get out of the way and give Szczesny an opportunity to make a stop.

To their credit, the Arsenal players refused to give up. Marouane Chamakh scored his first goal in what feels like decades. He directed a header into the Rovers net after a cross from Robin van Persie

Arsenal pushed men forward in an attempt to secure an equaliser. An open header from Mertesacker sailed over the goal, while a hard strike from RVP was stopped by Paul Robinson.

Theo Walcott had the last chance for the Gunners. Robinson streaked out towards Theo, who calmly lifted the ball over the Blackburn keeper. Robinson took out Walcott but no penalty was given. It was a clear penalty because Robinson failed to make any sort of contact with the ball. Many will forget about this final chance due to Arsenal’s terrible performance.

To be fair to Blackburn, they did jump on the chance to put the frail Arsenal defenders under pressure. Rovers continually crossed the ball into the Gunner penalty area, just to see which Arsenal defender would crumble next.

Since this post is so long already, I will react to Wenger’s post-match press conference in another post soon to follow this one.

Share

Match Preview: Blackburn v Arsenal

  By jtom | 16/09/2011 - 8:03 PM | Match Preview, Premier League
Leave a comment

Arsenal look to continue their run of results, while Blackburn boss Steve Kean is under pressure from supporters. Kean admires Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal philosophy, while Christopher Samba wants Blackburn to make life a “living hell” for the Gunners.

Injury News: Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday that Aaron Ramsey could be available on Saturday (from Arsenal.com): “Ramsey had a little test today [Thursday] and will practice tomorrow, he has a little chance to be available.” Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, and Jack Wilshere will miss the match.

Alex Song and Gervinho will make their Premier League returns after both players received a three-match ban after the Newcastle game. Song was impressive against Dortmund. He provides great protection for the back four as a holding midfielder.

The early kickoff will be another chance for the new boys to shine. Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker should definitely make Wenger’s starting eleven. I suspect that Yossi Benayoun will fill in for Ramsey.

Blackburn have had their worst start to a season in the Premier League era, but so have Arsenal. Before the match at Ewood Park, some supporters will hold a protest against manager Steve Kean. Blackburn are bottom of the table with only a point from their first four matches. Arsene Wenger said he believes that Kean deserves more time (from The Guardian):

“I have a lot of sympathy for Steve Kean. He is a young manager and you want to give him time to do his job.

“A lot of time you complain the British managers do not get a chance and I can understand that but when they do get a chance you must give them time.”

Kean, meanwhile, has heaped praise on Wenger (from ESPN): “It is very premature to be talking about the demise of Arsene Wenger, very premature. It might be the desire of the fans to see the club at the top end of the game and that is only natural and they are making themselves heard.

“But only some want to move away from Arsene’s policy which has proved so successful in the past. He is now in the process of building a new team and the way he is going about it he will succeed and he will once again put Arsenal in a very strong position.”

Arsenal were linked with Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba throughout the summer. Samba wants to make life horrible for the Gunners on Saturday (from ESPN): “If you are a football player you shouldn’t be scared of any team.

“It is a home game and it is up to us to make it a living hell for them when they come here. It is simple, we must to do our best to make sure they don’t play as they want to, make it horrible for them.”

Arsene Wenger will be back on the touchline after watching Arsenal’s 1-1 draw in Germany from the stands. The Gunners have a chance to build their confidence after the 1-0 over Swansea and the point gained against Dortmund. Wenger said (from Arsenal.com): “That (the Swansea win) is what we want to achieve and hopefully it will go as planned.

“We know that we will be tested in every single game in the Premier League and Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup will be difficult. Let’s just show that we can win the next one, the next one is Blackburn.

“They are a good side. They got a point last week at Fulham and were a bit unlucky against Everton. So let’s prepare ourselves for a difficult opponent.

“You lose your confidence quickly and you gain it back slowly. You only gain it back with hard work and that is what we want to show at Blackburn.”

Arsenal really need the three points against Blackburn. Steve Kean is likely to be sacked before the end of the season, and Rovers look like the relegation favourites. Samba and Scott Dann are two quality centre-backs, and the Arsenal attack led by Robin van Persie will need to exert a lot of pressure in the Blackburn penalty area.

Match: Blackburn v Arsenal

Location: Ewood Park

Kickoff: 12:45 BST

Television: Sky Sports

Share

Match Report: Arsenal 0 Blackburn 0

  By jtom | 02/04/2011 - 8:22 PM | Uncategorized
3 Comments

Blackburn has haltedArsenal’s title chase today at the Emirates by forcing scoreless draw. The Gunners failed to go ahead even when they were a man up late on. With United’s win earlier today, it looks as if Arsenal title hopes are done and dusted. We failed to convert chances into goals and Almunia looked shaky yet again. Many Arsenal fans will be asking whether Wenger has overstayed his welcome in North London. What you think?

The former Spurs keeper held Arsenal today.

The match started out positive. Walcott and Song were back and fit, as well as van Persie. Cesc started on the bench. Theo looked great early on, using his pace and skill to beat the defence. He disappeared in the second half, probably due to fatigue after missing so many matches. Jack Wilshere again showed why he is such a promising player. He’s poor finishing shows why he is not yet a top player.

Arsenal’s best chance came in the 29th minute when Wilshere found himself with the ball right in front of the goal. Nasri put the ball on a plate for the 18 year-old Englishman, but Wilshere put the ball weakly wide. Jack really needs to learn to shoot the ball when he has the chance. Quite a few times in the match, he was driving foward and ended his run with a pass when a shot would be more preferable.

Manual Almunia and our centre-halfs again looked very fragile. Every set piece, including goal-kicks, was a chance for Blackburn to go in front. Rovers keeper Paul Robinson made sure to get the ball into the Arsenal penalty area often. Robinson really did play well, even though he did not have to make very many saves.

We have all seen this game play out at the Emirates before. Sunderland a few weeks ago rings a bell. We have all the chances and possession but our poor finishing keeps us from putting the game to bed. Obviously, the match tortuously ends in a draw and the disappointment ensues. It happens far too often.

Let’s fast forward to the 76th minute. That was when Steven Nzonzi was sent off for a challenge on Laurent Koscielny. Maybe it was a harsh decision from Phil Dowd, but it was certainly a reckless challenge. Arsenal finally got a break, and Wenger brought on Bendtner, who played alongide RVP and Chamakh.

The best chance in the second half came in 89th minute. RVP sent a corner into the middle and Bendtner worked himself into an open header. It was well taken by Bendtner, into the low corner, but Salgado was there to clear the ball. Tough break for Bendtner. RVP really needs to improve his heading accuracy. Several times in the match it looked like he could have headed the ball on goal, but instead it went high or wide.

Now, the Red Devils might as well celebrate the title. They are seven points ahead but we still have a game-in-hand. If we win all the rest of the games, then will still might not be champions. It is really sad that we were unable to take advantage this season because no team was dominant. We can still become champions (despite our poor efforts recently), but it will take a lot of luck.

Share

Match Preview: Arsenal vs Blackburn

  By jtom | 31/03/2011 - 10:05 PM | Uncategorized
1 Comment

The international break is done and dusted and it is time for the Gunners to take the field again in a must-win situation. Blackburn will be visiting the Emirates Saturday afternoon in a game that is vital to our title chances. Many players will be returning to the squad after recovering over the international break, including Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, and Alex Song. Hopefully, these key players can make a difference.

RVP will most likely be ready to play, according to Wenger, he will have a final assessment tomorrow. The reason I am doing this match preview a day early is because I may be a bit busy tomorrow. If I have time, I will post up something about Wenger’s prematch presser.

 A lot of positives and here is another: Denilson will miss the match. Many have been hammering Denilson lately on his poor play, including myself. It is about time Wenger stop playing him in this critical stretch of the season. Maybe this injury will hold Denilson back longer than expected…

Things are not going great at Blackburn. They are in 13th at the moment with 33 points, but they are only a point ahead of the drop. It is very tight at that part of the table and they desperately need points. Earlier this week, Blackburn boss Steve Kean expressed interest in Ruud van Nisterooy. It may not happen, seeing that Ronaldinho passed on the Rovers.

This match could decide our season. If we lose, and United win, our title hopes will be spoiled. Speaking of United, we are five points off the leaders with a game-in-hand. The Red Devils will be in London to face West Ham at the weekend. The Hammers have been flying high so maybe they can force United to drop points and help their cross-town rivals.

Here is my projected lineup along with my prediction for the score:

Almunia

                                                                                           Sagna        Squillaci      Koscielny      Clichy

                                                                                                                    Song          Wilshere

                                                                                           Walcott                Fabregas               Nasri

                                                                                                                              RVP

Score prediction: 3-1 to the Arsenal

Wenger will give Almunia another chance. Lehmann gave up two goals in a reserve squad match. I did not see the goals but Wenger likely did. One mistake by Almunia and he will not get another chance.

Share