Arsenal 6 Blackburn 2

Christmas came slightly earlier for all Gooners today, as we thrashed Northern Monkeys Blackburn by 6 goals to 2. It’s about time we got a more realistic result. We converted the majority of our chances today, and If we had done that in numerous other games at home, we would be slugging it out with Manure and Chel$ki.

So onto the game, we were barely 2 minutes in when Howard Webb lost the game, Bentley was in a tussle with Toure, Bentley fell over and Webb pointed to the spot, a piss poor decision, it was to be the first of many, and I do mean many. Shabby Nonda stepped up and converted. So yet again we found ourselves 1 behind at home. This time however, it didn’t take the usual 40 minutes to get the equaliser, because 8 minutes after the penalty, we were back on terms, Gilberto chipped in with yet another goal,  he has taken the responsibilty of being Captain in his stride. It was from a corner, nuff said. Just before Kolo Toure hit the bar with a header from a corner, so we are showing signs of progress with corner taking.

The goal was shortly followed by a cracking blast from Bentley, who seemed to be on a mission in the first half, shooting whenever he saw the goal. He faded in the second half though. Minutes later, Arsenal had done something we hadn’t achieved at home this season. Gone a goal behind and managed to take the lead. Alex Hleb got it, a good passing move was completed when Adebayor out in Hleb, who beat his man and slotted it past Brad Friedel. 2-1.

 

Soon after it was 3-1, Van Persie through on goal, and was brought down for the penalty. A straight red you would imagine, as they offending defender was the last man, Webb yet again gave a mental decision, by booking the player. Clearly should have been a red card. After abit of messing from the ref, we finally got on with it, Adebayor stepped up, I had no confidence at all, after all the paper talk from Saturday morning, his goal run, rave reviews etc. I just thought he’d blast it over the South Stand. Thank christ he didn’t, as he slotted left of Friedel who dived about 20 minutes to early. 3-1 and things looked alot more comfortable.

Between the goal and half time, there were various chances, none of which I can really remember. Apart from absolute dire decisions from the ref, bloody awful he was.

So onto the second half, in the first 20 minutes, we continued to dominate, creating a hatful of chances, including Tomas Rosicky’s effort, which somehow didn’t go in, he is still awaiting his first goal at The Emirates and in the Premiership. Then on 69 minutes, Blackburn were back in the game, Nonda grabbed his second of the game, after poor defending. We had three men in the 6-yard box to clear it, but Nonda got their first with an overhead kick from close range, Blackburn continued to have a go, and fairplay to them, they battled well, but in the end we were just to overwhelming for them, a great piece of skill from Robin Van Persie, beating his man three times and a shot placed to perfection made it 4-2 and gave us the certain 3 points.

We weren’t done there though, 3 minutes later Robin grabbed a brace after finishing a wonderful passing move, set up by Fabregas, VP couldnt miss from 8 yards. Flamini finished the rout with his 3rd league goal of the season, after Cesc completely ‘mugged off’ Lily Savage, ran down the bi-line, cut in and had his shot saved well by Friedel, but he parried it right onto the foot of Flamini, who had another easy chance which he couldn’t and didn’t miss. The full time whistle followed shortly after, Delight all round and a much Happier Christmas.

It was the stereotypical Arsenal that we saw today, attacking with pace and precision. No team can deal with us when we are on that kind of form, and it was the thrashing we’ve been waiting for all season. Here’s to the next one, lets hope it’s at Watford on Tuesday.

Block 11 Match Ratings (out of ten) -

Lehmann - 8, Hoyte – 7, Djourou – 6, Toure – 6, Clichy  – 7, Rosicky – 7, Gilberto  -7, Fabregas – 8, Hleb – 8, Adebayor – 7, Block 11 Star Man Van Persie – 8.

Im giving it to Robin, not only because he scored two goals, but because he played very well all game, created alot of chances for himself, and although it did take him 85 minutes to find the net, it was certainly deserved.

After this win, we stay in 4th place on goal difference, 1 point behind Livepool and on the same points as Bolton.

It’s Watford for us next, on Tuesday. I am going away for four days in the morning so I won’t be giving you a Preview or a report of the game, I would love to, but Im going to Menorca, and if any of you have been there at this time of year will know that absolutley nothing is open, well locally anyway. Im hoping very much that the Irish Bar will be open so I can watch the game. So, during my short time away I leave you in the very capable hands of Mr. Cannon.

I’ll be back next Friday with a preview of Sheffield United, which I am going to.

Hope you all have a very good Christmas, and come on the boys for Tuesday.

Cya.

Arsenal v Blackburn Preview – No more draws please

I don’t think I could bare another draw at home, we have beaten Watford, Sheffield United, Liverpool and The Scum at The Emirates this season. However, we have drawn against Villa, Boro, Everton, Newcastle and Portsmouth last Saturday. For a club as big as ours, thats a piss poor home record against the smaller clubs. Teams we always beat, and easily. Everton and the Boro 7-0 matches spring to mind. On the Positive side, we have beaten Liverpool and Spurs and we are yet to be defeated at our new home. The amount of draws has been incredibly worrying, we face Blackburn tomorrow, in recent years they have a very good record against us, I think they beat us 2-1 at Highbury a few seasons back, amomgst various draws. So they have nothing to fear.

On the Injury side of things, Emmanuel Eboue will not be playing tomorrow’s game, as he picked up an ankle injury against Pompey last week, he has not recovered in time and Justin Hoyte will come into the starting XI, it was thought Lauren might deputise, but it’s a massive risk. No need for it, plus its another game for Justin Hoyte, who I like as a player. He has alot to work on, but I think in a few years when perhaps Lauren has left the club, we will have two very good right backs, and perhaps a future England right back.

Matty Flamini was a doubt, but he has been declared fit to play and will be returning to the squad, following his absense when we travelled to Liverpool on Tuesday, also returning is Tomas Rosicky, a player who has been greatly missed, I’ve heard he will start, but you know what Arsene’s like nowadays.

The first team have had a welcome rest since Saturday, which I think is what they needed, too much football can be as damaging to not enough football. I think it will be 4-5-1 again, unfortunatley. But having Rosicky in the side is a big difference attacking wise, he can play a good a ball as Cesc can. Adebayor on his own up front I think and Hleb and Van Persie on the wings, I would really like to see Baptista get another chance, and perhaps more importantly so more playing minutes. He’ll be rusty all season if Arsene doesn’t get him out there.

I think the only news on the Blackburn front is that Striker Benni MCcarthy is out through suspension. David Bentley makes his return to Arsenal tomorrow, the once dubbed ‘New Dennis’ left Arsenal after a loan spell at Blackburn, he has improved alot as a player, but I think he is good enough for Blackburn, not your top 4 or 5 sides in the league. At first I was fairly upset that we had let Englands answer to Dennis Bergkamp move to another club, but after seeing him plsy regular games, Arsene made the right decision, If a player isn’t good enough he knows. Perhaps I have to question his judgement on Alex Song though.

I hope Djourou continues his Successful run in the side, partnering Kolo. Johan has really rose to the occasion since getting his chance through injuries, and I would have him as the immeadiate back up for Toure and Gallas, another fantastic prospect playing for Arsenal.

Speaking of the Legend that is Bill Gallas, he is expected to return within ‘one to two weeks’. That was the same prediction as last week, so god knows when he will return.

There is still no date set for Thierry’s return, he originally earmarked the FA Cup game at Liverpool as his return, but that isn’t looking to likely at this moment.

Right thats it for today, I cannot wait to get back to The Emirates, my third visit there in 7 days, like always on a Friday, I can’t wait for the game, as oppose to the negativeness earlier in the week, I couldn’t stand another draw, so please don’t disappoint me Arsenal.

Come on you Gunners!!