Chamakh has been brought into the club not only for his presence in the attacking third of the pitch but also at the defensive area of the pitch. With Blackburn likely to use every opportunity to deliver high balls into our penalty area, Chamakh will be needed to help out his defenders and win the aerial duels

This is one of those fixtures where Arsenal have been questioned over the last few years. Arsenal cannot deal with the rough stuff up north they will shout. Blackburn are Arsenal’s bogey side they will snarl. But shhhh don’t tell them that Arsenal have won more than they have lost in the last few years. Picking up three victories and one draw at Ewood park in the last six meetings and have won six of the last eight meetings with Blackburn overall.

But hey, lets not let facts get in the way of a good Arsenal cannot cope with English football story.

The game has more of a focus on it this time round. Lukasz Fabianski had a very difficult time in between the sticks last season but he was most certainly not helped by the referee. It would have been a massive psychological battle had the Pole remained in goal but instead the gloves will be passed onto his more experienced team mate Manuel Almunia.

Much of the pre match talk will be about Blackburn’s set pieces but if the team can impose our own game on Blackburn then what Blackburn do needn’t be of any concern.

The game at Ewood Park last season could have had a totally different outcome had Carlos Vela converted Theo Walcott’s early cross to add to Robin Van Persie’s opener. It was Arsenal who played all the football and created the chances even though that Arsenal team missed several key players such as Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Alex Song, Denilson etc.

William Gallas has moved on to murkier waters whilst the rest of the players who missed last season will all be in contention to start.

The squad looks relatively fit for a change (stroking wood *ahem*) which gives Arsene Wenger some positive problems to have to deal with.

Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie have yet to start this season and now that they are fit they are going to need games as soon as possible to get match sharp. Normally this would be fine but this time round Arsene has a collection of players on top of their game.

Rosicky was playing his tune in the middle of midfield against Blackpool while Chamakh’s team play was very impressive.

With Koscielny back from suspension, Alex Song is likely to move back into his defensive midfield position alongside Abou Diaby who will certainly be included for his height and physicality.

Wenger may have been tempted to include Emmanuel Eboue on the right of attack to add some more power but after Theo Walcott’s scintillating display last weekend I would be gob smacked if he misses out. I would expect Chamakh to continue in attack to utilise his aerial prowess at both ends of the pitch but his starting position will be dependant on whether Robin Van Persie starts the game or not.

A core of the team pretty much picks itself but Arsene will have to choose between Cesc, Rosicky, Arshavin, and Van Persie to fill the remaining two spots.

 Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

 
One to watch: Marouane Chamakh

Chamakh has been brought into the club not only for his presence in the attacking third of the pitch but also at the defensive area of the pitch. With Blackburn likely to use every opportunity to deliver high balls into our penalty area, Chamakh will be needed to help out his defenders and win the aerial duels. Chamakh has been heavily involved in a majority of Arsenal’s attacking moves this season and I can once again see the Moroccan being key to the way that Arsenal play. It took him a little while to get his name on the score sheet against Blackpool and I think that goal will set him up nicely for the lunch time kick off.

I can imagine Chamakh either sliding in at the far post to steer in a cross or yet another header to undo the Blackburn defence. Either will do and I shall be crossing my fingers that one of those predictions comes true, at least.

 Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

 Blackburn 1 Arsenal 3 (Chamakh, Diaby, Walcott)

I may have no clue as to what Arsenal team will take to the pitch this afternoon but I am very confident that we can cause Blackburn more than a few problems. They have a good record at Ewood Park under Sam Allardyce but it is time to put a dent in that record and show the rest of the Premier league that Arsenal are ready for everything.