Arsenal vs. Blackburn Rovers: English Premier League Preview
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will take on Blackburn Rovers in a crunch Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 2nd April. The Londoners will be looking to keep up the pressure on league leaders Manchester United and remain in contention for
the title.
Arsenal
The Gunners have endured a dismal month of March, which saw them being knocked-out of three competitions. They lost to Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final, and defeats to Barcelona and Manchester United saw them get knocked out of the UEFA Champions
League and the FA Cup respectively.
Arsenal dropped four points in their last two Premier League games and missed the chance to leapfrog Manchester United, who lost to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 in March. They are currently second in the Premier League standings with 58 points and are five points
behind United; although they do have a game in hand.
Blackburn http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385
Blackburn have had a poor season and currently sit in 13th place with 33 points; just a point above the drop zone. The Riversiders’ have not won in their last nine games in all competitions and have surprisingly played five nil-nil draws in the
process.
Rovers have not been able to beat the Gunners in London the last nine times these sides have faced each other, and they desperately need a result this time to avoid the threat of relegation.
Team News
Arsenal
The home side will welcome back Cesc Fabregas, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicklas-Bendtner-c27726 remain doubtful.
Van Persie will start if he is fit as a lone striker whereas Andrey Arshavin will play just behind him in the second striker role. Cesc Fabregas and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jack-Wilshere-c17463 will start in the centre of midfield.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn have no major injury concerns for the clash. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Dunn-c10475 and Morten-Gamst
Pederson will play wide in midfield.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380
The Dutchman has scored 15 goals this season for the Gunners and will be looking to add to that already impressive goal tally. He has been Arsenal’s most consistent player this term and has put in some match-winning performances.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paul-Robinson-c29389
The Rovers’ goalkeeper has been a brilliant player for his side this season and along with his defence has saved many games this term. However, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 international’s impressive performances between the sticks have been overshadowed by the club’s poor
recent form.
Prediction
Arsenal have a superb home record against Blackburn Rovers and are expected to maintain it. Rovers will be unable to stop the Gunners in front of their home crowd and the hosts should win this game comfortably by a 3-0 score line. Blackburn’s disastrous
recent from will not help them as they have been unable to win any of their last nine games.
Tags: