In what was expected to be a tough encounter, physically rather than footballistically, there was much trepidation amongst gooners. Would the players be able to stand up to Blackburn this time? In May the side was lacklustre but many key players were not present that day. Today we started with probably our strongest 11, the returns of Cesc and van Persie were good to see, and the higher quality of our side should have seen off a team of Blackburn’s like.
We started the game a little nervously, despite an early chance for us Blackburn pressed early on and had a chance headed off the line by Cesc. My nerves were very present. Blackburn lumped many a ball into our box, Almunia surrounded at times and I thought “here we go”, but our first choice keeper came and collected the ball on a number of occasions. How odd, how novel. If only he had done this on a number of occasions in the last year perhaps there wouldn’t be a hunt for a new keeper currently taking place.
Another bundle in the box produced a foul on Almunia, Sky originally called a corner (Almunia took the ball out of play in his hands) but even I could tell that the ref was signalling for a free-kick. A quick ball was taken by Almunia and we galloped up the field, Arshavin stretching passed across to van Persie who played a ball out to the advancing Walcott on the right. A few steps and the non-footballing brained Theo rifled a shot past Robinson (49 conceded by him against us) which ripped the net. 1-0 and you could relax for a bit.
Just a quick point on the commentary today. Andy Gray was either on the sauce or is going senile, he called Blackburn Bolton – easy mistake to make I suppose, but confused a number of players on either side whilst adding his “insights”. Not what top notch broadcasting is meant to provide us with.
Blackburn continued to press though, our defence for the most part dealt with the test. But at times the ball fell in the box and that panic’d look was upon our back four again. At times clearances weren’t clinical and the passing in the middle third was wayward. We didn’t look totally in control and the one goal lead simply wasn’t going to be enough. The Blackburn goal came when El Hadj Diouf out paced and out muscled Koscielny and got a cross in, it makes me worry what he will be like up against a Drogba or a Rooney – he is still settling in to the English game, so far far to early to write him off just yet. We went in at 1-1 at half time which was a fair reflection for the nervy first half we played.
The bad point of the first half was seeing van Persie coming off injured, an ankle twist by the reports after the game. It came when two feet collided going for a ball, so no malice whatsoever, but it is annoying. However hopefully he will be fit come the end of the international break. Chamakh replaced him.
In the second half we looked a bit brighter, we seemed to click more with the passing and possession and Blackburn started to tire. As pass after pass was threaded together the away fans started the “ole” chant, all very well when we are 4 up but not at 1-1, I recall West Ham last season when we were two up and the “oles” started.
Cesc had a shot which cannoned off Theo, but Arshavin was on hand to fire it home and the lead was again ours. That’s now 50 goals we have scored against Robinson, can we play him every week? We kept attacking and didn’t look like taking the foot off the gas, that was also good to see, the players knew we hadn’t killed this one off yet. A few Blackburn shots occured, but nothing to seriously worry us. Jack Wilshere had a late chance but his foot slipped and the ball went wide. The three added minutes were nervy, but when the final whistle went it was 3 points in the bag at a ground we have previously found a little tough to get a result. For a few hours we sat top of the league, nice to see that again.
Cesc looked quite good, perhaps not 100% fit but his eye for a pass and his ability to make that pass was all still there. He lasted 67 minutes and perhaps some game time with Spain in the coming week will see him fully fit when the Premier League resumes in a few weeks.
I thought Blackburn played ok, not as rough as they have been in the past and they seemed to thread the odd pass together – is something misplaced in the football universe?
Picture from arsenal.com
A few bits of news from the last few days, arsenal.com finally announed the signing of Sebastian Squillaci from Sevilla. Fee is said to be around £3-4 million and he is on a 3 year deal. A good experienced defender to add to the squad who will provide competition for Koscielny and Djourou, but I think the Swiss is now fourth choice at centreback. It is good to have some depth in that area again though.
We have drawn Spurs in the third round of the Carling Cup. It’s no real shame as it means the youngsters can get a taste of a NLD and have nothing to lose against a team defeated by highflyers Wigan this afternoon.
The transfer window closes on Tuesday, Arsene said after the game “we are finished in the transfer window, the way things are” you can take that as we are not getting anyone else, or as I am taking it that unless one of the clubs changes their stance towards a bid we have made we are finished in the market. However reports from the game say that Almunia threw his shirt and captains armband into the crowd and waved goodbye (I thought he was waving goodbye to the home support at the mrats last Saturday as well) but time will tell. And Sky Sports News will have a countdown clock, in HD, all day Tuesday no doubt.
Thanks for reading.
