Arsenal versus Blackburn Rovers – English Premier League: Match Preview
The international break comes to an end on Saturday, 2nd of April when Arsenal host Blackburn Rovers at the Emirates stadium in their thirty first English Premier League match of the season. Both the teams have followed
their own path this season thus far but the encounter is expected to be a thoroughly exciting one, so let’s take a look at how Arsenal and Blackburn might line up against each other:
Arsenal
After losing ground to Manchester United in the last round of th English Premier League matches, Arsenal have a massive task in front of them if they need to win their first Premier League title since the 2003-2004 season. With
a game in hand over the Red Devils, Arsenal trail the league leaders by five points. A win against Blackburn will reduce the deficit down to just two points but only momentarily as Manchester United also play on Saturday night against West Ham United.
The Gunners have been knocked out of three cup competitions in the month of March as they lost their Carling Cup final match against Birmingham before losing to Barcelona in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League and Manchester
United in the F.A Cup quarterfinals. Arsene’s men are winless in their last four competitive fixtures. Their only win in their last five competitive matches came against Leyton Orient in the F.A Cup.
Blackburn Rovers
Presently 13th in the English Premier League table with 33 points from a total of 30 matches, Blackburn Rovers find themselves on the periphery of a heavy relegation battle. If Steve Kean’s men lose against Arsenal,
they might find themselves in the heat of the relegation battle as they currently have just a single point more than the 18th placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Like their adversaries for Saturday afternoon, Blackburn are also without a win in their last five competitive matchups. Rovers drew their latest Premier League encounter against Blackpool by a score-line of two all but before
that they lost to Fulham and Aston Villa. To make matters worse, Blackburn have only won three of their fifteen away trips in the English Premier League.
Team News
Arsenal are scheduled to hold late fitness tests for Alexander Song, Cesc Fabregas and Abou Diaby. Thomas Vermaelen is still sidelined for the Gunners due to his Achilles problem, whereas Jens Lehmann might start for the former
English champions after Manuel Alumina’s wretched decision making against West Bromwich in Arsenal’s last Premier League match. Johan Djourou is also missing in action for Arsenal due to a shoulder injury.
Expected Arsenal line up: Lehmann, Sagna, Clichy, Koscielny, Squillachi, Song, Nasri, Wilshere, Van Persie, Arshavin, Bendtner
Blackburn Rovers have a relatively fit squad when compared to Arsenal. Steve Kean will benefit from the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz. However, David Dunne still remains a long term injury concern for the Lancashire club side.
Expected Blackburn Rovers line up:
Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, Emerton, N’Zonzi, Jones, Diouf, Santa Cruz, Hoilett
Key Players
Arsenal’s playmaking responsibilities will be taken up by Samir Nasri in this matchup. As Cesc Fabregas is likely to miss this encounter due to his hamstring injury, Nasri will be expected to step up to the plate and perform for
the Gunners as he has done throughout the 2010-2011 season.
Roque Santa Cruz will be the spearhead of Blackburn’s attack. Even though the former Manchester City striker has not opened his goal scoring account for the Rovers, his presence has reinvigorated a profligate outfit. One can expect
Santa Cruz to open his goal scoring account sooner rather than later and what better occasion do it than the up-coming match against Arsenal.
Prediction
Arsenal have the home advantage along with a vastly superior set of players. This won’t be a stroll in the park for Wenger’s men but they will start the match as outright favourites for the win.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 – 0 Blackburn Rovers.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely of the writer’s and do not reflect the official editorial policy of
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