Time to step up and perform – Arsenal v Blackburn preview
That might have been a very successful interlull period for Arsenal. A miserable run of results and downbeat players given some breathing space for Wenger to tell them they can start afresh in April, forgetting the past 5 weeks or so. Furthermore; Walcott, Song and Fabregas all got time the needed to return to fitness. Each of the 3 are essential to the power and tempo Arsenal endeavour to operate at.
Fingers (permanently) crossed for Robin van Persie. Early news was he was taken off due to bruising and should be fit for Blackburn. He will want to play, he has an astonishing scoring record against them.
Another bonus is Aaron Ramsey joins the small stable of those who captain their country at full national level. He has great talent and close control, with ability to create fluent attacks with an end product. He see’s the final pass and can finish those balls in front of goal himself. I used to feel he did not show the personality on the pitch in the way that Fabregas, Wilshere, Gerrard, Keane and Vieira have all done when they seize control of the game. That angry hunger has been missing. However, becoming captain of his country will force him in front of camera’s and journalists to be more open. This could lead to a more assertive player on the pitch.
And so a good mood should be returning to London Colney. The players will congratulate Ramsey and tell him he deserves it.
I expect Wenger to play the following side versus Blackburn:
Almunia – Sagna – Squillaci – Koscielny – Clichy – Song – Diaby – Fabregas – Walcott – Van Persie – Nasri
Apart from Squillaci and Almunia, it will scare Blackburn. Their game plan will be to target Almunia with crosses right under our crossbar and Samba will be all over it. Hopefully this explains why I selected Diaby not Wilshere – it is necessary for set pieces. Incidentally, I felt Wilshere looked a bit weary for England against Ghana. Perhaps a rest is in order.
I predict an early Arsenal goal by Van Persie, an equaliser from a set piece, followed by a Fabregas winner in last 10 minutes. Arsenal 2-1 Blackburn.
Let’s hope it’s more comfortable!
By the way for all Arsenal chat, transfer news and the odd bit about my career as a Police Officer follow me on Twitter @Detective82. All tweets, feedback, views welcome.
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if rvp plays, rvp will score. my prediction 3-1 arsenal
I think wenger will go with a almunia- Sagna – Squillaci – Koscielny – Clichy – Song- wilshere-fabby-nasri-persie-arshavin….i feel he will nurse walcott carefull back into the team to avoid more injury and using him as impact player in the last 25 minutes if we are not leading…i feel wilshere will get the nod ahead of diaby despite he looking a bit tired but may take him off early…as he is clearly arsenal most consistent player and its a time we need a crucial win so he will be so important…almunia may not be my best choice but he is certainly a better pick ahead of the shacky jens…final score 3-1 arsenal…blackburn take the lead in the 15 minutes by a set piece…van persie puts us level before the break…by the hour mark fabby gives us the lead and one of the subs clinch it for a 3-1 win
Come on people. Its Arsene and its Arsenal!!! Surely you should all know how it works by now.
RVP will NOT play and Walcott will not start!!!
But Denilson WILL start… Diaby WILL start…. Arshavin WILL start..
3-1/4-1 if rvp plays (unlikely)
2-1/2-0 if rvp does not play.
Either way we will be watching nervously until the last minute.
blackburn games are tricky. remember last year? 1-0, 2-1 down, 6-2 in the end. if we score in the first 20 mins, things will be easier. i expect a 3-0 win if we score before half an hour, and a 1-0 or 2-1 win if we dont do it. if we win this game, it will give the guys some confidence ahead of the blackpool game, and hopfeuly we start pushing for the title. up the arse!
If he plays Diaby I will absolutely despair. We need all 11 players to be working hard, no passengers.
think you should realise who the ref is and his record against us.
I think wallcot and RVP will start on the bench, ARSENal 4-1 blackburn, the one goal for
blackburn is because of almunia + denilson + squillaci, hope bendtner will start
Did you see we have Phil Dowd refereeing this game!!!
I think Diaby may start but only for his height to defend set pieces.
Fortunately Denilson has been ruled out of this game with a toe injury