Blackburn Rovers vs. Arsenal preview, English Premier League
Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal face each other in the English Premier League in a must-win fixture for both sides. While the Gunners managed to win their last Premier League fixture against newly promoted side Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 with Fulham.
Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean is under a lot of pressure, following reports that a section of the supporters were organizing a march in protest of the club’s poor form and calling for his removal. The upcoming match against Arsenal could be important in deciding his future.
While Kean claimed to be on excellent terms with the club’s owners, there is no doubt that the Scotsman is worried ahead of the match on Saturday. He revealed that while he was disappointed at hearing about the march, he was hopeful the fans would support the team in the home game.
Kean believed his side would be able to get all three points against Arsenal as long as the fans were there to offer their support to the team. The match will be held at Ewood Park, which Kean hoped would give his side the advantage going into the match.
Kean said while speaking to reporters:
“Ewood is always a daunting place for any team to come and we just need the fans to stick with us and give us their backing.
I am sure we will pull through, get points on the board and climb the table very quickly.”
Kean admitted his side had failed to secure points in their opening four matches of the new campaign, but maintained that his side had given solid performances each time. He said he was hopeful of winning the upcoming game and climbing up the Premier League table.
He continued:
“There have been a couple of frustrating results but I would not say they have been frustrating performances. I think the performances have been good.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 boss Arsene Wenger is also determined to see his side return to winning ways and maintain their consistency after a disappointing start to the season. The 1-0 win over Swansea City has still not wiped the memory of the 8-2 loss to Manchester United before the international break.
The French manager admitted there was pressure to win, especially after the embarrassing loss to the Red Devils. He believed consistency would help them out of their slump and make them into a top three English Premier League team once again.
Wenger said in an interview:
“We must win. We live in an environment that questions us when we don't win. We do not criticise that and have to live with that.”
He added:
“We feel we have turned the corner, but we will be judged by the consistency of our results.
We have to show performances, consistency and attitude quality, that makes us respected. It is as simple as that.”
Team news
Blackburn Rovers
Paul Robinson will be Kean’s goalkeeper for this crucial fixture against Arsenal over the weekend, with Christopher Samba and Scott Dann in central defence. Michel Salgado and Martin Olsson will be on the right and left back positions, respectively.
Steven N’Zonzi, Mauro Formica are the two midfield players as Morten Gamst Pederson returns from injury to take up a wide position on the left flank. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Junior-c20060 Hoilett will be complementing him on the right, with Ruben Rochina and Jason Roberts providing the fire power.
Arsenal
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873. Gervinho and Alex Song however, look to retain their place in the first team against Blackburn Rovers.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380.
Possible line-ups
Blackburn http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rovers-c40385
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jason-Roberts-c17973.
Arsenal
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gervinho-c14755, Andrei Arshavin; Robin van Persie.
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