Thanks to a better goal average record, Arsenal have moved up to second in the table after battling their way past Blackburn in Saturday’s early kick-off.

With their two goals coming from Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin, Arsene Wenger’s men showed the determination needed to get all three points from a difficult ground such as Ewood Park and can look forward with optimism although they will probably have to do without Robin van Persie for the September 11 game, at home, against Bolton Wanderers.

Speaking after the game, the Frenchman did in fact confirm that the 27-year old twisted his ankle and will be out for up to fifteen days, meaning that he will most likely not make the squad for the Bolton game. But the Gunners can still smile as Marouane Chamakh – who replaced the Dutchman – was full of energy and runs and was a more than adequate replacement.

Always in his post-match interview, Wenger admitted that captain Cesc Fabregas is still short of fitness even though he still showed how important he is for Arsenal. According to the manager, the Spaniard will be back to full fitness after the International break.

On the game and van Persie’s injury, Wenger said:

It is always difficult to win here [at Ewood Park] but I felt that we had a good start, scored a great goal and after that, in my opinion, were a bit too nervous dealing with Blackburn’s game. In the second half I felt we were calmer, put the ball on the ground well and controlled the game much better and it was just a question of time. Of course, in the last 15 or 20 minutes you can always be tested and need a bit of luck but we had the right resilience and commitment and as long as you cannot score the third goal you are always under threat with a team like Blackburn.

It was [Fabregas'] first start. He has shown that he has class but of course he is not completely there yet. I planned to play him for an hour and I left him on for longer. In two weeks he should be ready to play.

He twisted his ankle and the first news is 10 days. If there is no bad news tomorrow it should be two weeks maybe.