Without fooling ourselves, we all know last week’s game was more like a training session than a Premiership game but we also know tomorrow’s early kick-off will be much, much tougher.

Blackpool provided some positive signs, such as the fantastic performances by Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky, Manuel Almunia’s clean sheet and the return of Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas. But that was not enough to understand where we are as a team and how hungry we are to finally reach our objectives. As Andrey Arshavin said, it was just one game, one win although tomorrow could be different, it could be a good opportunity to finally get some answers ahead of a long, long season.

Sébastien Squillaci signed and that is fantastic news as we add another element to our defensive department. I can’t say whether it’s a good signing or not as of course he’s yet to kick a ball in an Arsenal jersey but yes, we are finally covered back there although I would have loved to see a goalkeeper sign. It is amazing how stubborn Arsene can be sometimes and it’s sad as all this just keeps on putting more and more pressure on both Manuel and Lukasz.

To conclude this introduction, I feel it will be a very tough game with Rovers adopting a high ball and hope type of game to put pressure on our back four. I believe that if we want to win this one, we just have to focus on scoring one goal more than our opposition. Not trying to be smart, just saying that I don’t see us keeping a clean sheet, that’s all.

Blackburn

I’m not entirely convinced Arsene Wenger was right in asking referees to protect players right before this weekend’s game. Let’s face it, Blackburn will not care about the comments, I instead believe they will be even more determined to prove that their style of football can be a winner against the so-called beautiful football of Arsenal. And of course, Sam Allardyce knows a thing or two about winning ugly.

They started well, beating Everton at home on the opening day of the season, but they suffered a setback last week after they conceding two goals in the second half of their game against Birmingham. Of course we all remember last March’s 2-1 defeat, a very poor game by almost all Gunners involved. Hopefully, we will see a different Arsenal tomorrow.

Favourite line-up

Come on, admit it, be honest, you thought about me when Arsene Wenger said he is considering a 4-4-2 line-up to accommodate both Robin and Marouane. That fool, who always puts 4-4-2 in his so-called favourite line-ups has finally nailed it? Maybe. But let’s go step by step, shall we?

Manuel Almunia should start in goal, that’s pretty easy to guess. In front of him, Laurent will of course make his comeback after suspension with Bacary Sagna keeping his position on the right although on the left, here comes my first change. I was not impressed with Gael Clichy’s start to the season so rather than wait for a mistake from the Frenchman, I would immediately give Kieran Gibbs a chance to shine.

In midfield, more adventurous decisions. Tomas Rosicky was superb against both Liverpool and Blackpool and I don’t want to see him sit on the bench or relegated on the wing just to give way to Cesc Fabregas. Cesc looked short of fitness last week but even if he recovered completely, Tomas deserves to keep his place at the heart of the midfield.

One who doesn’t deserve to start is Andrey Arshavin. Granted, he did improve against Blackpool after the disappointing game at Anfield but I still believe he needs a wake-up call and the bench could provide it. Also, one of my “dreams” is to see Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott on the left and right of the midfield respectively. That would be a blast.

Alex Song will of course move forward in his preferred midfield position with Robin van Persie – who looked sharper than Cesc last week – teaming up with Marouane to complete my 4-4-2 line-up. Remember that as always you can submit your own at Arsenal Interactive where more line-ups will be added soon.

Pre-match Interviews

The previously-mentioned interview by Arsene Wenger is below. He is right of course, referees should protect players more, but why say it days before facing a team who clearly adopts these dirty tactics? Hoping that I’m wrong, this will make Blackburn more hungry.

Wenger said:

When a team plays long ball and head the ball and become physical I accept that completely and I respect that – but it has to be in respect of the rules. I believe everybody looks at his squad and tries to find a way where the game is most efficient and we developed one way. It is not the only way, I respect every other way as long as the referees get the rules respected.

I saw some pictures last Sunday. You cannot say anymore it is football – it is rugby on the goalkeepers [more] than football. The referees cannot go on and accept that. When you see how [Stoke defender Ryan] Shawcross kicked [Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho] Gomes, how [Robert] Huth pushed Gomes in the goal, you cannot say that is football anymore. If the referees allow that you cannot accept that because that has nothing to do with the game.

More than anything else, Blackburn, for us, means Sam Allardyce. The former Bolton manager will surely motivate his players as he will try to beat Arsenal for the second time in six months. He wants to put the Gunners in a position where they will not be able to use their skills. Will he succeed?

He said:

What worries me is making sure that we must not let them beat us.

We must not let them use their skills and that is a big concern to us because they are one of the top teams in the country.

The Gunning Hawk Coverage

As always, tune in for team line-ups, streaming links, half time and full time reports, post-match thoughts, video highlights and what the press is writing. And of course, do contribute if you want to by making use of the comment box available at the bottom of the post as it’s always nice to hear your opinion. And as a final note, if you want to go one step further than just leaving a comment and want to have your articles published on our website, take a look here for more information.

Arsenal Interactive

And of course, don’t forget you’re still in time to pick your preferred team for this game. And when the final whistle blows, don’t forget to rate the players, comment on their performances and share your personal ratings with your friends. All this and more, available at http://www.arsenal-interactive.com.