By Alex Kirkland

A trip to the north west? Check. Over-physical opponents? Check. Miserable weather? Check. It didn’t look promising for Arsene Wenger’s young side going into the match at Blackburn, despite a week which had seen us put nine goals past Liverpool at Anfield.

And when Gilberto was sent off after 12 minutes, Gooners would have been forgiven for thinking they were about to witness another morale-sapping away defeat. But Arsenal rose to the challenge, and thanks to a resolute defence and a tireless midfield, won the game 2-0.

Julio Baptista had to make do with a place on the bench after his four goals against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, and Jeremie Aliadiere was unlucky to miss out altogether after a brilliant performance in the same game. Emmanuel Adebayor returned to the squad having been absent since Boxing Day, and received a warm welcome from the travelling Gooners in the stands.

The opening ten minutes  were remarkable only for the wind and rain that lashed down on Ewood Park. Then came the game’s big talking point – Robbie Savage persistently hacked away at Gilberto’s legs even when the Brazilian had gone down, the usually placid Gilberto lashed out with a boot, and Savage reacted as if he’d been shot.

Savage’s conduct ws a disgrace but a player of Gilberto’s experience should have known better than to rise to the bait. Instead Savage got exactly what he wanted, and Arsenal would have to play the next 78 minutes with ten men.

Any other coach in the Premiership would have withdrawn a striker at this point, retaining four in midfield and leaving Thierry Henry alone up front. In a stroke of genius, Wenger resisted this temptation, leaving a lightweight midfield three of Cesc Fabregas, Alexandr Hleb and Tomas Rosicky to battle it out. The decision won the game for Arsenal. Fabregas was immense, covering more ground than ever. Rosicky got stuck in and made crucial tackles, and Hleb was in superb form with the ball at his feet.

Their speed of thought and movement were too much for Blackburn to handle. Keeping two strikers up front meant it wasn’t just a case of clearing our lines and waiting for the next Blackburn attack – we kept the ball, passed it around and kept Rovers pinned back.

So successful were we that it looked like Blackburn were the team with ten men. All that was needed was a breakthrough, and after 37 minutes it came as Van Persie broke clear, only to be fouled by Lucas Neill. A lovely free kick from Henry found Kolo Toure, the only Arsenal player in the penalty area, who rose above two defenders to power a header in off the post.

Blackburn were in desperate need of some creativity and sure enough, Mark Hughes brought on Tugay for Mokoena at half time. To an extent the tactic worked, with long balls putting the Arsenal back four under pressure. But Toure and Senderos dealt brilliantly with everything that came their way, and Justin Hoyte looked more solid than ever.

As Rovers were starting to pile on the pressure, Henry finished the game off. Receiving the ball in his own half, he ran down the left, hugging the touchline, with three Blackburn defenders in close attendance. Slipping the ball inside to Fabregas, he continued his run along the edge of the area, and when the return pass came he struck an upstoppable right-footed shot into the top right-hand corner. Paul Scholes and Michael Essien may be in the running for Goal of the Season – but for my money this one pushes them close.

Henry had the chance to make it 3-0 minutes later when he opted to control Rosicky’s cross on his chest and fired over the bar, when a header might have been a better option. But by this point it didn’t matter. Blackburn’s spirit was broken, and Henry departed the pitch to a standing ovation soon afterwards.

A great win, then, and a hugely encouraging performance. Every man played his part, but Toure, Fabregas and Hleb were outstanding. In fourth place, one point behind Liverpool, this Sunday’s clash with Manchester United will give a clear indication of just how well we’re playing.

With Henry back to his breathtaking best, let’s hope we can beat United for the second time this season and throw the title race wide open.

http://www.arsenal-land.co.uk/columns/?col=253

Will Arsenal beat United? Let Sportingo have your views on Sunday's big game.