After a rather arduous and tiring international break, we welcome back regular club football today. So, here we are, nine games to go and if we win each of these matches, then we will win the title come May. It's that simple. And at the same time, being an Arsenal fan, I know it's not gonna be in any way simple!
Today we host a stuttering Blackburn side who have got themselves a new manager and a relegation battle since the last time we played them. Big Sam may have gone but that should not in any way give us reason to underestimate them. The players are still the same and they will know our strengths and weaknesses the same way we know theirs. And three points today is vital if we are to have any chance of getting a shot at the title.
The good news is that we are welcoming back several of our first team members after their injury layoffs. Cesc is back, Song is back, and so are Theo and Diaby. So altogether, we have a stronger side on paper than in our last match against West Brom. Not to mention that Jens Lehmann has come out of retirement and has been signed as an emergency standby with three of our four goalkeepers getting injured.
Team line ups:
Tactics:
Final Prediction:
A scrappy 2-1 win for Arsenal.
Today we host a stuttering Blackburn side who have got themselves a new manager and a relegation battle since the last time we played them. Big Sam may have gone but that should not in any way give us reason to underestimate them. The players are still the same and they will know our strengths and weaknesses the same way we know theirs. And three points today is vital if we are to have any chance of getting a shot at the title.
The good news is that we are welcoming back several of our first team members after their injury layoffs. Cesc is back, Song is back, and so are Theo and Diaby. So altogether, we have a stronger side on paper than in our last match against West Brom. Not to mention that Jens Lehmann has come out of retirement and has been signed as an emergency standby with three of our four goalkeepers getting injured.
Team line ups:
Arsenal: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Substitutes: Lehmann, Diaby, Fabregas, Rosicky, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner
Blackburn Rovers: 4-5-1
Manager:Steve Kean
Substitutes: Bunn, Dunn, Rochina, Mwaruwari, Roberts, Hanley, Diouf
Tactics:
Goalkeeping/Defence: After conceding two soft goals against West Brom, the pressure is on Almunia and the defence to put in a good defensive shift as Blackburn will definitely look to capitalize on our defensive lapses. We really need to defend well from corners and set pieces today. We seem to concede easy goals far too often and I hope we pass our defensive test today.
Midfield: Song returns after a gap and he is a welcome presence in the middle. Hope Jack is able to carry his good form today. Samir Nasri gets the chance to play in the central midfield role today and I'm really looking forward to seeing him play there today. He is really due a goal and hope he scores one today.
Attack: Robin van Persie has survivied yet another injury scare, when he was substituted in the international break, and hope he continues his goalscoring form. Walcott also makes a return and hope he makes a good impression today. Arshavin has blown hot and cold, and we need him to fire today. We should take our chances clinically as and when they come.
Subs: I'd bring on Cesc, Chamakh and Diaby/Rosicky.
Final Prediction:
A scrappy 2-1 win for Arsenal.
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