Arsene will have Nicklas Bendtner back after his car accident and will probably be included in the starting eleven with Theo Walcott who has not kicked a ball for the team so far this season

Blackburn Rovers could well be walking into the Emirates at the wrong time, the Arsenal team have quietly gained some winning momentum after an unhappy couple of trips to Manchester. Since then Tomas Rosicky has shown that he can make the difference in the coming months should he remain free from injury.

Vito Mannone has proved an able member of the squad in between the sticks and probably more importantly the squad have shown great character in various different situations. Going two goals behind in the Champions League the side were able to focus, steady themselves and roar back to victory. At Craven Cottage the team were able to do what many ‘expert’ pundits insist that Arsenal cannot do and that is grind out a victory when not playing at the very high standards that the manager and players have set themselves.

Perhaps most exciting of all was the return to fast paced, quick passing game that Arsene Wenger loves so dear after a late victory against rather negative Olympiakos at the Emirates. I am actually quite surprised about how surprised many of our supporters have been about the football we played.

At the start of the season when I looked through the full squad list it wasn’t very difficult to pick up on the amount of creative and talented players we have in our Arsenal. The ‘Robin cannot play central striker’ cries have been dying down over the last few weeks as the Dutchman has struck twice in his last two games.

Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in a row including the Carling Cup victory over West Brom so that will please the manager after the disastrous start in Liege.

Arsene will have Nicklas Bendtner back after his car accident and will probably be included in the starting eleven with Theo Walcott who has not kicked a ball for the team so far this season, likely to be sat on the Arsenal bench waiting to attack tired Blackburn legs who will probably spend much of the game chasing Arsenal passes. The last thing they will want is the speedy Walcott darting at them.

Arsene will want to continue with Tomas Rosicky as the Czech play maker played his part in the wonderful display in midweek but I will guess that Arsene will not want to play him in midweek and then at the weekend. He also knows that it is likely that Blackburn rovers will be physical in approach and will try and use set pieces to upset Arsenal. Abou Diaby’s strength and height will be needed so I expect him to continue in a midfield of Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas.

It may well be time for William Gallas to be rested as he has played through pre season and every game until now.

Emmanuel Eboue is another who does not deserve to be pushed out of the starting line up after his fine performances in recent weeks but I cannot see Sagna being left out another week and Bendtner will be needed to defend and attack crosses as well as trying to convert one of the chances that is created by the likes of Cesc, Arshavin or Van Persie.

Whoever said we lack strength in depth.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

Wenger can finally pick his line up depending on the opposition, he has many choices and options but I think this best suits the physical Blackburn Rovers team.

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Another clean sheet would be good for the team and I hope that Theo can get into goal scoring positions in the 4-3-3 formation.