Blackburn Rovers 1 - 2 Arsenal: Net Buster

Theo Walcott destroys some twine. Pic via Daily Mail.

Blackburn Rovers 1: M.B. Diouf 27

Arsenal 2: Walcott 20, Arshavin 51

Arsenal trips to Ewood Park are never very pleasant. Last spring, Arsenal was battered in their own box on set pieces and lost 2-1. Blackburn Rovers play a highly different style of game compared to Arsenal, though I suppose "style" is the last word in the English language I should use to describe their tactics. It looked like it could have been a frustrating affair, and when you stay out all night to make it for a 7:45 a.m. kick-off, frustration is not usually welcome.

Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie returned to the starting line-up for the Gunners, meaning Tomas Rosicky and Marouane Chamakh dropped to the bench. Jack Wilshere dropped to the bench as well with Alex Song slipping back into his usually holding midfield role and Laurent Koscielny returning to center back from suspension.

Arsenal nearly struck first early in the match. A Theo Walcott shot was blocked after a Robin van Persie corner, but the rebound came out to Abou Diaby, who from 18 yards fired a shot that deflected off Paul Robinson, Blackburn's keeper, and a defender before being cleared.

Things got a bit nervy from there for Arsenal as Blackburn threatened from set pieces. Play after a long throw from Rovers' Rory Delap-esque Morten Pedersen was headed out for a corner, then Manuel Almunia was involved in a bit of an argument with El-Hadji Diouf, and the goal attempt after the corner was headed off the line by Fabregas.

The Gunners struck first in the 20th with a lovely goal from Theo Walcott which actually snapped the twine of the goal netting. Walcott picked up a through ball from van Persie as he beat the left back and fired a shot into the low corner from just to the right of the penalty spot. It's that trademark Walcott goal.

Seven minutes later, Blackburn were level, not through set pieces, but open play. Bacary Sagna was caught up the pitch and El-Hadji Diouf beat Laurent Koscielny. One Diouf's cross met another on the other end as Mame Biram Diouf, on loan from Manchester United, found a spot between Thomas Vermaelen and Gael Clichy, and M.B. Diouf found the net, with Manuel Almunia out of position after trying to block the cross. The fact that M.B. Diouf was so wide open was the fault of Clichy, who was oblivious to his presence. I'm starting to wonder when Kieran Gibbs might get a start at left back.

At about the half hour mark came an event I hope not to have to write about much this season. On an innocuous challenge, Robin van Persie twisted his ankle and was forced to leave the match, with Chamakh replacing him. From what I've heard, it's a 10-14 day injury, which means the upcoming international break is coming at the perfect time for our made-of-glass striker. Little else to speak of in the opening frame; the match was 1-1 at the half.

 

Blackburn's tactic of attacking aerially through Paul Robinson's free kicks worked in the first half (top), but was stifled in the second (bottom). Analysis via Guardian Chalkboards.

Arsenal were significantly more composed in the second half, which allowed them to take control of the match. When you don't concede free kicks in the attacking half against Blackburn, you don't allow keeper Paul Robinson to fire long balls in your direction and you don't allow them to control the aerial game. As you can see in the above passing map, Blackburn won three balls in the box in the first half from Paul Robinson free kicks. As a result, Blackburn controlled the tempo of the play for much of the first 45 minutes. They were not given the opportunity to do the same in the second half, leaving three points there for the taking for Arsenal.

The Gunners went up 2-1 just six minutes into the second half. Sagna's cross found Fabregas who fired a one-time shot into the backside of Theo Walcott. The ball pinged, fortunately, to Andrei Arshavin, who coolly finished past a diving Robinson to give Arsenal the lead once more. Fabregas, still not quite 100% as far as I'm concerned, was lifted a bit after the hour mark for Rosicky. I think Arsene Wenger gave him about ten more minutes than he was originally planning.

Arsenal had the better of chances throughout much of the second half as they attempted to extend their lead: Chamakh had a brilliant chance blocked, Walcott fired another over the bar, and Jack Wilshere (on for Arshavin late) had the best opportunity of the half at the death but was off balance and scuffed a shot straight at the keeper. I think Blackburn had, at most, one shot on target in the second half, a David Dunn effort that was straight at Almunia.

In retrospect, a vital three points for the Gunners if they are to seriously challenge for the title this year. The team controlled the second half and did not allow themselves to be undone by Blackburn's tactics as they were last May. Manuel Almunia was calm and collected in goal, a good performance from the Spaniard who may no longer be starting for Arsenal by the end of the international break in two weeks. The back four were solid, with the exception of the errors which led to Blackburn's goal, though I'm a bit frustrated with Clichy's start to the season. I don't like Alex Song's new hairstyle, but he and Diaby were solid in the holding roles, and the forwards continued their excellent form to start the year, even Arshavin, who has looked sluggish and uninterested at times.