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Blackburn a threat to Arsenal's title hopes? Not likely!

Both teams have absentees, either injured or on international duty, but Mark Hughes hasn't been able to get the better of Arsene Wenger in two previous attempts this season.

by Lazy Arse on 10 February 2008

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Mark Hughes: Can he upset the odds at Arsenal? (Gettyimages.com)

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Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers travel to the Emirates on Monday night to face Arsenal for the third time this season. Rovers, who are currently eighth in the Premier League, took two points off of the Gunners in a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park, but were beaten 3-2 at home after taking a Carling Cup tie into extra time.

Arsenal's recent form is impeccable, with the Gunners having scored three goals in each of their last four Premier League matches. Arsene Wenger's squad have responded very well to a 5-1 Carling Cup defeat by arch-rivals Tottenham, winning their next three matches in a row.

Blackburn, on the other hand, have not won in their last three games, drawing against Everton, Aston Villa, and Middlesbrough. With injuries to defender Andre Ooijer and midfielder Steven Reid, a Blackburn victory seems improbable. Hughes will be fielding a relatively inexperienced squad as key midfielders Morten Gamst Pederson and David Dunn and centre-back Christopher Samba are also set to miss the match due to suspensions.

'Arsene Wenger's squad has responded very well to a 5-1 Carling Cup defeat by arch-rivals Tottenham, winning their next three matches in a row'

Arsenal are facing their own injury crisis as well, though. Phillipe Senderos, Mathieu Flamini and Manuel Almunia are all doubts, while Johan Djourou, Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby and Neves Denilson are not going to feature due to injury. Alex Song will be playing in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, and Ivorian defensive pair Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure are both likely to feature for their country on Saturday in the 3rd/4th place play-off game.

Jens Lehmann is ready to replace Almunia in goal if necessary, and injury-free defenders Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will be full of energy up and down the flanks. However, Wenger is facing a crisis in the centre of defence.

William Gallas is Arsenal's only fit centre-back, and Wenger has claimed that he may even attempt to get Toure back in London for the game against Blackburn. The other options are to play the inexperienced Justin Hoyte or holding midfielder Gilberto, who may be needed to replace Flamini. No matter who Wenger decides to field, we will have our hands full for a full 90 minutes against Roque Santa Cruz.

Cesc Fabregas and Alex Hleb are certainties in the midfield, and if Flamini is unable to feature he will likely be covered by Gilberto. Rosicky will be more difficult to replace with Diaby and Denilson out. This leaves just Theo Walcott or Eduardo to play on the left wing, although Eduardo has finally been getting used to playing up front alongside Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor is sure to play up front, although his partner will be more difficult to predict. Eduardo has been starting in the absence of Van Persie, but his guile might be needed on the left flank with Rosicky injured. This would leave Adebayor with another tall front man, Nicklas Bendtner.

Arsenal's injuries are disturbing, but I feel that the Gunners will prevail against a Blackburn squad with a similar number of absentees. I predict a 3-1 home victory, keeping the Gunners ahead of Manchester United.

This match preview was originally published at http://lazy-arse.blogspot.com, and Arsenal fans' blog.

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Comments (3)

by goonarosa on February 10, 2008

Everyone knows about bruiseburn's cynical football ... so, the only threat they represent to arsenal's title ambitions are they could injure a key player. Hope we have a strong ref who will do his job firmly and fairly tomorrow ...

by Pete on February 11, 2008

[quote] Everyone knows about bruiseburn's cynical football ... so, the only threat they represent to arsenal's title ambitions are they could injure a key player. Hope we have a strong ref who will do his job firmly and fairly tomorrow ... [/quote] Have you actually watched Blackburn play since the FA cup semi a few years back? Sounds like you haven't. But then again, in your sheltered world of glory chasing - rather than supporting - you aren't expected to know anything about football. They are far from a dirty side these days and the strong ref you request might be handy to keep an eye on your sulking and diving bunch.

by Yids painfull prediction on February 11, 2008

Would like Bentley to get one over his former employers that cruely neglected his obvious talent. However after the weekends results, I think Arsenal now have the title in the bag and cant see Blackburn getting in their way at the emirates. Wenger is a shrewed man and im sure he is fully aware that this is Arsenals big chance to pull away.