Two sides who have endured a difficult start to the season meet at Ewood Park on Saturday looking to kick start their campaigns.
Visitors Blackburn have picked up a solitary point from their first four games and manager Steve Kean is under increasing pressure from supporters to get that first win on the board. A respectable draw at Fulham last week hasn’t stopped Rovers fans from demanding that owners Venky’s remove Kean from the dugout with. But with the like of Scott Dann, Simon Vuckcevic and Yakubu all coming in on deadline day it’s likely that the Scotsman will be given time to integrate his new recruits into the side. He faces a daunting task this weekend though as his troops host a rejuvenated Arsenal side.
The Gunners have responded superbly to the 8-2 thrashing they took from Manchester United with a morale boosting 1-0 win at home to Swansea last week. That was followed by a superb draw away at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night. New boys Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker have slipped into the side without ceremony and already look like seasoned Arsenal players. Arsene Wenger will fancy his chances of ending a record of one win in 10 on the road with his sides pace and intelligence far outweighing that of their opponents
Junior Hoilett is available for the home side despite being knocked out by Mark Schwarzer in last Sunday’s game at Craven Cottage. Kean could be without David Dunn, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Ryan Nelson who are all struggling with injury.
Arsenal could rest Aaron Ramsey after he picked up an ankle knock in midweek but there is better news for the Gunners with Alex Song, Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson available after serving their suspensions.
Key Player
Gael Givet: The Frenchman was outstanding at centre half against Fulham last week after he took a battering at left back. His gritty style of play will be needed to counteract Arsenal’s velvet grace
Robin Van Persie: The new skipper has taken on a role bigger than just scoring goals and will need to keep is teammates confidence up going into this one. Oh and a few goals wouldn’t go a miss either.
Prediciction: 1-3
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