Arsenal vs Blackburn Preview

Preview of Saturday's tie between Arsenal and Blackburn at Ewood Park, which is a 12:45pm kick off and live on Sky Sports 2.

Arsenal are boosted by the return of Song and Gervinho from 3 match suspensions as they look to continue their recovery from their worst ever start to a Premier League season.


Midfielder Aaron Ramsey is included in the squad but faces a late test. The midweek reserves fixture against Blackburn is apparently the more realistic return date for him.


For Blackburn Pedersen (hamstring), David Dunn (calf) and Ryan Nelsen (knee) are all touch and go for the game although the news Junior Hoilett is fit will come as a big boost for the side.

Arsenal (from): Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Benayoun, Walcott, Song, Arteta, Van Persie, Gervinho, Fabianski, Santos, Frimpong, Chamakh, Park, Djourou, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jenkinson, Ramsey.

Blackburn (from): Robinson, Dann, Samba, Olsson, Salgado, Givet, Dunn, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Formica, Goodwillie, Rochina, Lowe, Roberts, Yakubu, Vukcevic, Hanley, Pedersen, Slew, Blackman, Bunn.



Interesting Stats


(all stats were via http://www.arsenalreport.com/ and http://www.whoscored.com/)


Key Blackburn player David Hoilett has the most key passes per game (2.5), most assists (2) and most dribbles per game (3.3).

Blackburn have dropped five points from winning positions this season, more than any other team. 

This is the worst start to a Premier League season for both Blackburn and Arsenal.





Wenger Pre-match interview

Blackburn player to watch


In a pretty unspectacular team, the one player who stands out is young Canadian forward Junior Hoilett.