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Post Match Review
Home›Post Match Review›In the Aftermath: Arsenal v Blackburn Post Match Review

In the Aftermath: Arsenal v Blackburn Post Match Review

By Michael Price
October 5, 2009
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It was day set for celebrations. Particularly the celebration of Arsene Wenger’s 13th year at the helm of the club. It was only made better by the return (albeit just for the match) of Arsenal great, Thierry Henry. The Barcelona striker introduced prior to the match was showered with fan adoration and was to see a performance that he and his former mentor would thoroughly enjoy.

The backdrop set against the celebrative mood at the Emirates was only enhanced with the day’s opposition. 13 years ago at Highbury, it was Blackburn Rovers whom an unknown Arsene Wenger first managed against. In that match an Ian Wright brace saw them off. This Rovers side was slightly different as it was managed by Wenger antagonist Sam Allardyce and his club certainly came ready to spoil the fete.

Who wants to score next?

Who wants to score next?

Inside of four minutes the visitors stunned into silence the home crowd as Paul Robinson’s end-to-end kick saw an N’zonzi header flick over Vito Mannone and go into the net from 10 yards out. The goal was made worse in that Thomas Vermaelen who had been rock solid going into this match weakly played the challenge and made it easy for the Blackburn striker.

But Arsenal were not to be undone and captain Cesc Fabregas nearly levelled the match on a looping header coming off a cross from Andrei Arshavin. But it was to be Thomas Vermaelen who brought this team back into the match. 2 minutes after Blackburn nearly headed in an own goal coming off a Van Persie corner, the belgian defender (wanna be striker) shot a low and hard strike into the left hand corner of the net. Cesc Fabregas worked his magic and smartly teed the ball up for Vermaelen who was only happy to oblige to score.

The game then took on the look of typical Arsenal matches with the Gunners owning 64% of the possession and only being level. Shortly after the Vermaelen goal, Paul Robinson tried the route one pass again, this time however, Vito Mannone decisively played the ball and did not allow for the Blackburn attack to get on the ball.

At the 30 minute mark the Gunners would again find themselves down coming from a counter attack they would’ve been proud of. Blackburn took the ball coming from a Robinson save and a feed to Emerton, who found Dunn sitting clear on the left. Taking the only shot he had, the ball careened off of  William Gallas’ calf and changed direction. There was no chance the Arsenal ‘keeper would’ve got that ball on the deflection.  The game was 2-1 and that oreboding feeling Arsenal fans typically have in these situations was very short lived and would never come back.

Two minutes later, Cesc Fabregas dissected the Blackburn back four to find Robin Van Persie who keenly settled the ball and with his “chocolate” foot thumped the ball into the far corner. There was not doubt this was going in.  The game was drawn and the Gunners were clearly not going to settle for a tie.

The mix of Van Persie, Arshavin, Rosicky and Fabregas are showing themselves to be a powerful attack force and the linking play they are showing with each other is a thing of beauty. It seems that the four are starting to get a better awareness of where each other is on the pitch and the passing which a couple of weeks ago was a little off seems to be crisp and on target now. The play should only improve with the addition of Samir Nasri who is set to return late October or early November.

Much to Blackburn’s chagrin the Arsenal attack would net another goal 4 minutes after their equalizer. Fabregas who is showing what he can do to a team when given the space, found Andrei Arshavin free on the left and with a crisp left footed shot beat Robinson cleanly. Going into the half the game had 5 goals and suprisingly two were form the visitors who obviously showed up to try and steal a game from the home side.

The "little Russian" proves too much for Blackburn

The "little Russian" proves too much for Blackburn

Coming out in the second half Sam Allardyce’s men pressed the attack and looked like the would get their third. Their start was bright and they were clearly trying to take advantage of a defence that looked woobily in the first half. However, the back four had tightened up and the Rovers never really got a clear shot on goal.

Having set up all three goals in the first half, Cesc Fabregas was due his own. His hard work and midfield presence showed why when he is in form there isn’t a better play maker in the EPL, probably Europe. Attacking again, Fabregas had twice tried to set up another shot and this time fed from Tomas Rosicky, Fabregas teed up a shot that froze Robinson and found the upper left corner.  Then in a move set to make tongues wagging, Fabregas celebrated his goal by running to the fans, pointing to them and kissing his badge. Let the pundits make no doubt, Cesc Fabregas, and all his class, is a Gunner. To this observer, it seemed that with Henry in the stands the heir apparent finally took the crown in both his hands and firmly placed it on his head.

Even at 4-2 Arsenal were clearly up to the task for more. Tomas Rosicky who in every game is showing no signs of someone who has had an 18 month layoff placed a shot that trickles just wide of the far post. Next to Fabregas the passing and ability of Tomas Rosicky were clearly too much for the Rovers.

However, a goal for the birthday boy (29 on the day) wasn’t in the cards and at the 69th minute Rosicky was substituted for Theo Walcott. Walcott was making his first appearance for the gunners this season after having only featured in 45 minutes of pre-season play.

After the fourth goal Blackburn showed some spirit in the attack and once again they tried to press the defence who now were getting support from other players and because they where back, it set up the next rush in typical Arsenal fashion. After another save by Mannone with support from the post, Arsenal moved the ball up quickly with Arshavin, Fabregas and Walcott flying up the field. In a site reminiscent of Walcott’s feed to Arshavin against Liverpool last season, the Russian passed the ball outside the box to Fabregas who just flicked it off to Walcott who “passed” the ball past Robinson in the far side of the goal. I say passed because the ball was clearly not shot past the ‘keeper.

Having played a part in every goal it was time for the Captain to get some rest and he was substituted for Welshman Aaron Ramsey. Also coming off was goal scorer Andrei Arshavin who was replaced by Nicholas Bendtner. At this point Blackburn were done and had football had a mercy rule I am sure they would’ve been begging for it. Much has been made about the youth of Arsenal but young legs last longer and they had clearly gassed the visitors at this point.

Aaron Ramsey’s play showed why he was signed and taking a page right from his Captain nearly fed in 3 opportunities for additional goals. On the face of it, it looked like the Gunners were trying to score a goal for each year of Arsene’s reign.  Ramsey set up the final goal with a pass to Bendtner who left untouched outside the box smashed home an absolute corker of a shot. Now it was only a matter of time and the 3 minutes of injury time only worked to prolong the inevitable.

On the day it was a good match for Arsenal. People will cry out about the lack of defending but people have to remember, Arsene Wenger’s sides are not about defending they are about attacking. For all their strength defending in the early years they were players inherited by the Frenchman. Much like Barca whom Wenger says his version of the 4-3-3 is styled after, the point is to pass and attack and score.  Clearly that kind of score line won’t always be the case as the big four teams will play us a lot harder. But if we are playing the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and United (okay throw in City though you all know my feelings on that), with an attack of Nasri, Rosicky, Arshavin, Fabregas, and van Persie with the Vermaelator coming in too, I like our chances to match them and best them.

Cesc Fabregas was clearly the star of the day. His play on the ball was deadly at all times and if he wasn’t trying to score he was setting up his teammates to score. A lot was made of how Cesc had been playing preceding these last two matches. However, noone took into effect that for the last few years and with Spain he is playing in a 4-4-2 which plays him further back. Fabregas today admitted that the new role in the 4-3-3 is more comfortable for him:

“My preferred position is probably the one I am playing now. I feel most comfortable, but there is still a lot of work to do before it’s my best position,” he said.

“When I started at Arsenal we played 4-4-2 and I came deep to get the ball.

“In my new position I am higher up the pitch and I don’t get the ball as much as I used to, but I’m in a part of the pitch where I can do dangerous things like play the final ball.” – FourFourTwo Interview

Admittedly even I thought he was just disinterested and didn’t consider the natural progression he had to make from one formation to the other. Well, if this is how he plays when he has settled into the role it could be a very good year for the young Spaniard. His talent has never been denied but a season full of it hasn’t come. If this is the season then the Arsenal faithful are in for a good year as well.

Player ratings:

Mannone: 6 – Showed bad judgement on the first goal and couldn’t have been expected to save the riccochet off of Gallas’ leg. Showed ability to learn from mistakes on Paul Robinson’s second route 1 attempt and played the ball perfectly taking away any chance at a shot.

Gallas: 6 Not a monster day for the centre half. Tried to save Dunn’s shot but misdirected it past his ‘keeper. Other than that wasn’t really tested all day.

Vermalen: 7 –  Doesn’t play the man well in the opening goal but more than atones for it with his wonder strike. Corrected earlier error and had good positioning for the rest of the game.

Clichy: 6 – Tested all day as Blackburn ran most of their attack down the wings. Held his own.

Sagna: 5 – Passing was off. In a 4-3-3 he is going to be needed to bring the ball up.

Song: 6 – a good solid performance yet again. Slowly staking claim to being THE holding midfielder.

Diaby: 6 – I only counted two give aways of the ball which to me is a good match for the lanky lad. Also had an assist in one of the goals

Rosicky: 8 – Should’ve had a goal. Was essential in the game plan and set up the Fabregas goal coming off a cool collection of a rebounding ball. Clearly does not look like he has suffered any ill-effects of his layoff.

Arshavin: 9 – There is such a joy watching him play when he is in the match. He relishes it and I think he is going to relish the attacking of Arsenal with the squad he has in support. Another amazing goal and always a threat with the ball with around the box.

Robin Van Persie: 9 – What is he going to do when gets the ball on his PROPER shooting foot? He is coming on in form with goals in his last three or four matches – each one more emphatic then the last.

Cesc Fabregas: 10 – MOTM – What hasn’t been said about his stellar performance? If teams give him the space to play, he will shred them. Involved in 4 goals and scored his own. Never looked flustered or shaken as Blackburn went ahead.

The Subs:

Theo Walcott: 7 – Comes back scores a goal. Misses one. Think he wants to play on this team?

Nicky B: 7 – Beautiful goal but to me it was offset by the three other attempts he had close in that he couldn’t finish.

Ramsey: 7 – Came on for the captain and it was like we didn’t miss a beat. Clearly a growing class talent.

Next few fixtures:

17 Oct: v Birmingham (Emirates – EPL)
20 Oct: v AZ Alkmaar (Almaarderhout – UCL)
25 Oct: v West Ham (Upton Park – EPL)
28 Oct: v Liverpool (Emirates – CC)
31 Oct: v Tottenham (Emirates – EPL) ESPN2 (US)

Now we just pray that during this international break noone gets seriously injured.

TagsArsenalArshavinBendtnerBlackburn RoversFabregasHenryRosickyvan PersieVermaelenWalcottWenger
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