Theo Walcott started to cause all sorts all sorts of problems for the Blackburn defence. It is almost hard to imagine that he has been out for around 4 months or so, he actually looks more mature and aware than he did when we last saw him in the red and white

Match Review – Arsenal 4 Blackburn Rovers 0 – Premier League

After a gruelling and tiring fight for a Champions League quarter final place only 3 days ago you could forgive the players for turning out a lacklustre performance regardless of the importance of the game against Blackburn Rovers, yet this young Arsenal team did nothing of the sort, at least not after 45 minutes at Ashburton Grove.

As expected the manager freshened things up by resting a few weary legs, out went Diaby, Van Persie, Gallas, and Eboue. In came Song, Arshavin, Djourou and Walcott.

The Arsenal team seems to be evolving from a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 into a 4-2-3-1. Andrey Arshavin started the match as the central of the three behind Bendtner. Theo occupied the right with Nasri on the left. Alex Song partnered Denilson after a strong performance against Burnley last week.

Question marks were being pointed at this Arsenal team in recent weeks, could they break teams down, could they score enough goals against defensive teams. Well the perfect way to answer those questions was to score an early goal. The clock hadn’t reached two minutes before Bendtner turned and slotted in a fantastic through ball in the direction of Walcott and Song, there was only going to be one winner, Walcott lifted his head up and saw Arshavin darting into the box, Theo’s low cross into the box was heading towards Arshavin but the ball deflected off Blackburn’s Ooijer and past former Spud Paul Robinson.

Theo Walcott started to cause all sorts of problems for the Blackburn defence. It is almost hard to imagine that he has been out for around 4 months or so, he actually looks more mature and aware than he did when we last saw him in the red and white.

Diouf got the blood boiling by flying into Manuel Almunia’s ankle when the Spaniard attempted to clear. He received a yellow card for his troubles.

Almunia dusted himself down and saved very well a few minutes later from a Pedersen cross header.

Denilson who was having a fine game in central midfield alongside Alex Song was brought down by Mokona in the 35th minute. Without the likes of Van Persie and Cesc, the responsibility was left to Samir Nasri to make the difference. His in swinging shot rattled off the cross bar and away to safety.

It wasn’t long before Nasri was once again knocking on the Blackburn door. Almunia’s long clearance found Bendtner who could not quite get the ball under his spell, it bounced to Nasri who struck a first time half volley straight at Paul Robinson who parried away to safety. That was a rewind to the George Graham days, long Seaman punt, flicked on by Smith and half volleyed by Wright.

Blackburn created two half chances towards the end of that first half. Mokoena and Pedersen came closest for the visitors.

So half time, Arsenal playing much like they have been during many recent home matches, creating a handful of chances but missing most, the difference was that early goal, it changes Blackburn’s game plan and that allows Arsenal to play their own game.

Arsenal were running the center midfield, Denilson and Song were head and shoulders above their Blackburn counterparts. We are watching some of these players grow up in front of us. Gilberto was known at the invisible wall but in Song’s last two performances he can be called the very visible wall. As his confidence is rising his technical ability is really starting to shine through. How many times did Song build his wall infront of a Blackburn player only to see them run straight into his outstretched foot and race away from them. If Alex Song continues his last two performances then he would be the clear winner of any most improved player in the squad should that award exist.

Denilson next to him looked very assured, he didn’t have his greatest game against Roma but he was back to his best. People who say he only passes sideways should really watch the match again and witness the amount of through balls he provided. Andrey Arshavin was late onto the pitch due to a foot injury that he was receiving treatment for.

Like the first half, it only took Arsenal a minute to fashion a goal scoring opportunity, this time the luck wasn’t quite with the Gunners.

It was Bendtner who found the final pass, as he did in the first half and it was once again to the speedy Theo Walcott who got goal side but he dragged his shot way wide. A few more games under his belt before this one and that could have nestled into the back of the net.

Walcott was terrorising the Blackburn team, they did not know how to handle him. It showed me how much we missed his presence during his absence. He doesn’t always have to have a great game to cause problems, form or not form he is one of the quickest players around and that scares defenders. His influence started to grow even further throughout the second half.

The chances started to come thick and fast after that, it was only 2 minutes later when the giant that is Alex Song won a header which fell to the feet of Samir Nasri, the Frenchman who had swapped with Arshavin to the central position, lifted a ball over the top for Walcott to race onto, his low cross was a fraction infront of Bendtner who only managed to deflected the ball away for a goal kick.

On 50 minutes another chance was created and once again it was Alex Song who started the move, positioning himself infront of David Dunn, he won the ball and found Theo Walcott racing in on the right, Nasri raced outside him and received the pass, Bendtner made a great run to the penalty spot which was found by Nasri, Bendtner’s shot was saved from the impressive Christopher Samba.

Bendtner needed a goal through this bright spell, the longer he went without taking a chance the less likely he was going to score. His overall contribution to the game was great. He linked the team up very well and often made the final ball look very easy, my opinion is that he lacks confidence infront of goal and lets missed chances get the better of him.

Samba’s block flew in the air and was won by guess who? Alex Song, his header fell to Walcott who volleyed towards goal but Robinson parried away his effort.

The tempo was fantastic, the passing quick and sharp. It was the attacking football of old, We knew that once our attacking players found there way back into the team everything would change. Suddenly we had options, we had players changing positions with each other. Walcott, Arshavin, Bendtner and Nasri were playing very well.

Denilson smashed a shot into the face of poor Ooijer following an Arshavin cut back from the left. The switch between Arshavin and Nasri really helped our attacking threat. Arshavin is more direct than Nasri and carried the ball forward from the left quicker as Walcott was doing on the right.

Blackburn made yet another left back change to try and deal with the pace and energy of Theo Walcott. Olsson replaced Warnock who replaced Givet.

Bendtner flashed a header wide from a left footed Arshavin cross, which only highlights the Russians class. We do not have many players who are either technically good enough or confident enough to use their weaker side.

Chances were still coming thick and fast (just like the ready money round) Kolo Toure powered forward from center back, driving past the Blackburn players, he cut inside and passed square to Song who played a first time pass to Bendtner, but Bendtner’s left foot shot was weak and rolled into the arms of Paul Robinson.

Bendtner was having a very difficult time in front of goal, he was in a good position when found with a long pass from Arshavin but it was poked away at the last moment. Minutes later Denilson provided a fantastic through ball to the Dane, he ran through on goal and once again he was denied by Robinson.

Barely seconds later, Sagna fired a cross into him and his flick didn’t come off. I felt very sorry for him at that point. Nothing was coming off for him the more he tried the more likely it would be that it wouldn’t come off.

With only a goal advantage the crowd were edgy but that was soon to change. Arshavin couldn’t claim the first but he could certainly claim the second. Before that we have to admire the work before that of the often scapegoated Denilson. The 21 year old contested with Diouf for a ball in midfield and delightfully flicked it over his head, took it on his chest and found Arshavin on the left, his work was not done yet, Arshavin played it back to the young Brazilian and darted forward. Denilson played it to Song and ran into space to receive the first time pass. Denilson lifted up his head and fed a ball into the path of Arshavin on the left wing.

Denilson’s brilliance was more than matched from the inventive Russian, he drove at the Blackburn player fainted to the right and cut back on his left leaving the defender for dead, running along the byline towards Paul Robinson many would have expected the cut back. Had Paul Robinson have been an Arsenal fan he would have watched the many YouTube clips of Arshavin chipping in at the near post so I was expecting it and he produced a very neat finish over Robinson’s head. 65 minutes, 2-0 game set and match.

How we have missed that creative edge in midfield, that something different to unlock the opposition. Andrey Arshavin is made for Arsenal, he is a special player who will have a massive impact from now on.

Arsenal rolled back the clock to the Wenger sides who regularly scored from counter attacks. Walcott swerved past 3 Blackburn players and almost the 4th, Song picked up the loose ball and strode forward he fed Arshavin who played a majestic first time pass into Bendtner but low on confidence he fired high over the bar.

Bendtner could have scored 5 in the second half alone.

With 10 minutes to go, the wonderful Theo Walcott was replaced by Abou Diaby, Bendtner was replaced by Carlos Vela. Three minutes later Nasri was replaced by Emmanuel Eboue.

Pederson dived in the penalty box, nothing was given and Arsenal picked up the ball and swept up the pitch, once again Arshavin from the left run inside towards goal his little stocky frame allowed him to roll past the opposition and pass to Vela, Vela dinked a ball into Arshavin who side footed towards Eboue who was in the penalty area, Arshavin’s cross was just a little too far ahead of Eboue as Walcott’s cross was to Bendtner earlier in the match.

On the 88th minute Arsenal scored the 3rd. Carlos Vela who had pulled to the right wing crossed to the far post to Arshavin, he took it down on his chest and fired at goal but Robinson got behind the ball, luckily the rebound fell to Eboue to score the easiest goal he will score in his life from 2 yards out.

When it rains it pours! Eboue scores his second goal in 3 games. Cue Eboue’s funky chicken dance.

You can see how much he is liked and respected by his team mates by the amount of hugs he received from Vela, Diaby, Arshavin and Djourou.

Carlos Vela was brought down moments later in the penalty area by the substitute Martin Olsson. I looked around wondering who would take the spot kick. I assumed that Arshavin would step forward but I was mistaken and saw Eboue standing in the penalty area waiting for the ball. Had it have been 0-0 then I imagine that he wouldn’t have been standing there.

Eboue’s penalty was technically better than any other that we provided on Wednesday, granted without a fraction of the pressure. 4-0 and the first time we have scored 4 goals since our 4-4 draw against Tottenham at the Emirates.

Football is an amazing game. You could have swapped Eboue and Bendtner before kick off and you could quite easily envisage Eboue missing Bendtner’s chances only to be replaced for Bendtner to replace him and score a brace, that is how fast things can change in football.

I was very impressed with the speed and directness of our attacking play. Walcott and Arshavin brought width and speed to the team. The team is on the way up, Cesc and Adebayor are two weeks away from a first team return, Rosicky is not far behind and we are sat in 4th place. Things are looking up. Fingers crossed those lot from down the road can do us a favour this afternoon.