It was Hleb who came closest to doubling Arsenal’s lead 4 minutes into the second half when he brought down a deep cross from Eduardo and cracked a shot

The weekend ended pretty much perfectly for Arsenal and it was down to us to capitalise on our rivals slipping up, something that hasn’t always worked for us in the last few years.

Mark Hughes brought his depleted Blackburn Rovers side to the Emirates with Manchester United supporters hoping that he could do his former club a favour by upsetting the inform Gunners.

Arsene Wenger has had a list as long as his arm full of injured and tired players from the international trips around the world. Flamini and Senderos were both doubts before the game and the likes of Almunia, Diaby, Walcott and sick note duo Van Persie and Rosicky ruled out from the match.

With Rosicky’s deputy (Abou Diaby) missing from the squad Arsene had to make a decision on who to play out in one of the wide positions. Arsene decided to switch Cesc Fabregas on the right of a 4 man midfield with the rusty Gilberto taking up his natural position in the center of midfield alongside Flamini who was passed fit.

An early goal would have been what Arsene was hoping for to settle his side down and he got exactly what he would have wanted. We got a corner and Eduardo swung an inswinger into the middle of the penalty area to the head of Senderos who powered home a header from the edge of the six yard box. 1-0. I think Eduardo should be in the penalty box for set pieces in general but if he can deliver like that then we cannot really complain.

To have scored so early was a massive relief, surely we would relax and carve Blackburn apart and score some more goals.

Arsenal were not quite clicking in the final third of the pitch. Blackburn were blocking and defending pretty well in the early stages but it still looked like another goal was around the corner.

The best chance of the game so far fell to Flamini after Cesc played him through but the American Brad Friedel came out quickly and saved with his legs.

David Bentley was looking to impress tonight against his former employers but did not really stand out as he spent most of the time defending and chasing Arsenal players.

He was involved in Blackburn’s best chance of the game on 37 minutes when his flick found Brett Emerton to cross to Benni McCarthy who flicked on but Santa Cruz couldn’t get a touch to it.

Santa Cruz fired over a few minutes later.

Blackburn were starting to get themselves into the game and passed the ball very well. Reid, Tugay and Bentley were matching the Arsenal midfield.

Adebayor was not at his best and played a few sloppy passes. Alex Hleb was Arsenals best and most influential player.

It was Hleb who came closest to doubling Arsenal’s lead 4 minutes into the second half when he brought down a deep cross from Eduardo and cracked a shot against the base of the post with hardly any back lift.

Arsenal made a tactical change in the second half to match Blackburn’s 5 in midfield. He put Eduardo on the left wing and played Cesc in a central position with Hleb on the right.

On 75 minutes Adebayor had a shot blocked by the impressive Friedel.

Alex Hleb was on a mission to get the second goal single handedly and produced a powerful left foot shot on 80 minutes that was turned over the top by Friedel again.

Cesc Fabregas had a long range drive just wide on 83 minutes.

The second goal finally came in the last minute. Man of the match Hleb drove in from the right, side stepped a Blackburn player and played a left foot pass into Adebayor who took a great first touch and drove in with his second touch.

12 goals in 9 games for the big man which puts him top of the goalscorers chart alongside Ronaldo.

So it wasn’t our most convincing display but we had enough quality to win the game. A 5 point lead is healthy at this stage of the season but it is by no means irretrievable by both Manchester United or Chelsea.

We need to go on a winning run and gain our squad back, in the meantime it is a case of so far so good.