Two games, Two mistakes, Two goals conceded. This time around Jens Lehmann won't be the happiest man in the dressing room after the game. In a very physical affair at Ewood Park, Jens Lehmann's mistake meant that we have dropped points for the first time this season after Robin Van Persie put us ahead.
Arsene Wenger reverted to a 4-4-2 after injuries to Rosicky and Eboue. Hleb moved to the left and Walcott on the right. New signing Eduardo teamed up with Robin Van Persie upfront. Blackburn put out a very attacking lineup, but it was soon clear what their intentions were. Right from the kick-off, the Blackburn players tried to rough up our players. And no prizes for guessing who was at his bloody best doing that. Robbie Savage. Mark Hughes may speak on and on about how his team is misunderstood and harshly treated by the referees, but these sort of showing by his team proves nothing but the fact the he loves kicking teams around. And thats exactly why Robbie Savage is in the team. That twat knows nothing other than fouling and intimidating people. And the referee for the game Alan Wiley never got hold of the game and he allowed Savage and his thuggish team mates to get away with many fowls.
It was a very physical affair and it was Arsenal who took the lead after a small scramble in the box. Friedel's mistake allowed Van Persie to slot in the ball to make it 0-1 and despite being not so convincing, Arsenal went ahead. Captain Gallas had to substituted after he suffered an injury and he was replaced by Senderos. The score stayed the same at Halftime.The second half saw a resurgent Blackburn side proving that they can play Football along with kick-boxing. There were tackles flying around and most of them were intended purely to take out the player. Van Persie and Fabregas were targeted in particular and were never allowed time on the ball.
The Equalizer came from David Dunn who hit the ball from outside the box after some good passing movement. Jens made a real mess of it and the ball ended up in the net. 1-1. From then on the game opened up.
Blackburn skipper Nelson was sent off after pulling down Van Persie when he got through. Bendtner was brought on for Eduardo who couldn't make a big impact on the game.
Wenger in his post match interview, spoke that this was a game where we should have come away with a victory.
"We feel we have dropped two points because we were 1-0 ahead and had a few chances to score a second goal, But it was a good performance. We were resilient and dealt well with the long ball and the physical challenge they gave us."He refused to criticize Lehmann saying,
"He feels very down at the moment because of course he knows his responsibility, A goalkeeper is there not to make mistakes and he will certainly be concerned, but what we have to worry about at this stage is to just prepare for our next game."I'm really disappointed with a draw as we should have finished off Blackburn before they equalized. But it was a relief to see that the team responded well to the physical approach they had to face. Another match has gone and it showed some more weaknesses.
1. Lehmann. He should sit out a few games. A spell on the bench can only do him good.
2. Lack of Wingers. Walcott isn't much of a threat and Eboue isn't a winger. We need a new signing.
3. DMC position. The goal by Dunn showed us how much we missed Gilberto. There was noone to close him down. Even though Flamini does his best, Gilberto is just irreplaceable.
All is not bad for Arsenal as the other three clubs in the top four dropped points as ManU lost to Man City and Liverpool drew with Chelsea.
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