Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Give him the ball
By Boris Mellor
September 14 2008
Mythology has it that Blackburn is a hard place for Arsenal to visit, but in fact Arsenal has a better record at Ewood Park than any other Premiership club. Before this weekend's game it was seven victories, and now it's eight. None of these facts have been allowed to impinge on reality. The myth still runs that the Northwest is the Gunner's grave yard.
However one pundit tried to explain Arsenal's overwhelming victory by the fact that Blackburn did not bloody the Gunners' noses enough. Indeed the only bloody nose I saw was Pedersen's, but I missed how it happened. I had a suspicion he did it trying to foul an Arsenal player. Andrews did enough to be sent off but he was let off as there is a special offer for ex lower division players out of their depth, commit two dirty dangerous fouls for the price of one yellow.
Fulham raised a more potent myth, the one that Arsenal is always crap after international week. Stuart Robson says that is no longer true, and as we only lost three games last season he must be right. Nonetheless three away games after international week is enough to daunt the chirpiest of Arsenal fan.
Wenger was also affected by international week; the injury to Nasri surely explains why he started Walcott. Trio, as he is now known, showed little after effects from being anointed the nations saviour, and had an excellent game and ensured that RvP was on the score sheet by the ninth minute.
The truth is that from then on Arsenal treated the game as light training for the next away game in Kiev. A four nil win anywhere is good by any standards. However there is now an important tradition, established by some bloggers, that every silver lining has a cloud.
So it's important to stress that Almunia looked dodgy. Well I watched the whole game very carefully and could only find one error, and indeed one or two very good saves. Then I remembered that we would have three points up there last season if Lehmann hadn't of fumbled the ball.
Eboue had a great game, and even had a shot on target, but it is important to stress he dived for a penalty. Well I watched the replay very carefully, and so did MOTD, and none of them felt it was dive. The defender had left a trailing leg in there. If it was a dive, and I don't think it was, it was no more blatant than dives Liverpool commit on a regular basis. I searched Liverpool blogs and could find no denunciations of Gerrard.
I suppose I could moan on about Adebayor's failure to beat the offside trap on numerous occasions. However I was drowned out by the Governor shouting at his defence for failing to trap Ade on two occasions and allowing him to score two in open play. But it is important to moan or I might find myself cheering the fact that he has now only scored 50 goals in his time here. What a waste of money the one season wonder is.
Give him the ball and he will beat Tottenham's number 2
There again I would rather bask in the fact that Arsenal made 27 passes before Denilson's cross saw Adebayor head in. That Ramsay gave a glorious assist to Ade who coolly rounded Tottenham's number two for his hatrick and Arsenals 4th. Yes Blackburn had a few chances, but not that many in the second half. Arsenal dominated and had their third clean sheet out of the four games so far this season.
Manchester United lost, Terry was sent off and it's Kiev on Wednesday. It doesn't get better than that.
Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Arsenal Times (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 20:50
Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 21:40
More good news AC Milan lose again
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: eduardo (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 22:12
well lets hope we win 4 - 0 next week in our other supposed blackspot of Bolton
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 22:20
You mean the lot we beat when we were 2-0 down and with ten men.
The only thing that might get uis is fatigue. 3 away games in a row did for us at Boro. But weather was far worse then. Pitches still ok at present
The only thing that might get uis is fatigue. 3 away games in a row did for us at Boro. But weather was far worse then. Pitches still ok at present
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Gunners R Us (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 22:26
i HATE chicken kiev
it is that lemon chicken thing right?
it is that lemon chicken thing right?
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 14/09/2008 23:00
Yeah its crummy chicken ie crumbs all over it
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 00:23
The article is spot on.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: litmus (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 03:35
Padre, actually it was not just the 3 away games that did us at Boro, but the injuries that came with it. If I rememebered correctly, we had Fabs, Hleb and Flamini out that day. This time around, I hope Arsene will fully utilise the squad in games to avoid injuries due to fatigue and not enough rest.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 04:23
Agreed litmus.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Chapman's Ghost (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 08:27
A very strong performance but Blackburn were woeful in the second half. They had their chances in the first half and maybe a sharper team would have put one or two of them away.
I can't wait to see how we do against a quality side because
I feel our defence is a little lacking. Out of the big four I'd say our defence is the poorest.
Bring on Kiev, three points in the Ukraine would help destroy our tradition of struggling east of Warsaw.
I can't wait to see how we do against a quality side because
I feel our defence is a little lacking. Out of the big four I'd say our defence is the poorest.
Bring on Kiev, three points in the Ukraine would help destroy our tradition of struggling east of Warsaw.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: H.C (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 09:29
Padre,
Arsenal ARE always@#$%&after international week
Not
Arsenal IS always@#$%&etc
Have you had an American takeover?
Arsenal ARE always@#$%&after international week
Not
Arsenal IS always@#$%&etc
Have you had an American takeover?
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: 80'sGoona (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 11:34
Winning these next two games will give the team so much confidence for the next 5 prem games after Bolton. The 10th being, yep, Spuds.
Really think we can win the next 7 prem games:
Bolton away
Hull home
Sunderland away
Everton home
West Ham away
Spuds home
Stoke away
That would be 10 wins from 11 (similar start to last season)
Then we can focus on a hard November
Really think we can win the next 7 prem games:
Bolton away
Hull home
Sunderland away
Everton home
West Ham away
Spuds home
Stoke away
That would be 10 wins from 11 (similar start to last season)
Then we can focus on a hard November
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: AJ The Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 12:33
Great read.we should think positive at all times.
i wish ade could study the offside trap rules like van horse face did.if he studies it excellently and masters it.he would bang in more goals than we can imagine.
kiev here we come.i hope it won't be a repeat of cska and the likes
i wish ade could study the offside trap rules like van horse face did.if he studies it excellently and masters it.he would bang in more goals than we can imagine.
kiev here we come.i hope it won't be a repeat of cska and the likes
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 13:46
Quote:A very strong performance but Blackburn were woeful in the second half. They had their chances in the first half and maybe a sharper team would have put one or two of them away.
chapman..I watched the game again too..and we missed just as many chances as they did in the first half..not to mention kolo's miss from point blank range in the second half
And were blackburn so woeful in the second half or were we just so much better? Old arsenal would ave switched off with a 2 goal lead..and no one has scored more than 1 goal at blackburn in the last 10 games.
When kolo saved that shot from Santa Cruz..some gunners say look they almost scored..instead of saying brilliant defending from Kolo..if that was terry or carvalho everyone would ave said look at the rocks chelsea have in the back..with arsenal its more like how did they get a goal scoring opp...our defense sux
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 14:17
fair point Rocky. Well said. 2 sides to every coin. Indeed, our defence is soooo turd that it's let in 1 goal in 4 games. Well shhheeeeiite!! 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:15:14:56:04 by Philly the kid.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:15:14:56:04 by Philly the kid.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Chapman's Ghost (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 17:33
I know we had plenty of chances in the first half Rockstaar
and we failed to be 5-0 up at half time. We need more
strikers.
We were a lot better in both halves. I think the Blackburn of old would have given us a tougher game. They didn't close us down with the negative football they played under Hughes.
Yes we've only let one goal in in four games but the quality of the opposition has been average, mighty Fulham notwithstanding.
and we failed to be 5-0 up at half time. We need more
strikers.
We were a lot better in both halves. I think the Blackburn of old would have given us a tougher game. They didn't close us down with the negative football they played under Hughes.
Yes we've only let one goal in in four games but the quality of the opposition has been average, mighty Fulham notwithstanding.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 18:22
Well HC apparently we are not c.rap after Internationals.
I must have succumbed to the Yankee spell checker I always use the plural form as a careful perusal will prove.
I must have succumbed to the Yankee spell checker I always use the plural form as a careful perusal will prove.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 18:35
Agreed Rockstaar, though our defence is still the worst out of the top four.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Philly the kid (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 18:57
though, so far this season, we've conceded less than anyone in the league (opposition granted)!!
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 19:34
So Man U defence didnt look that good.
We have had only had a few games, it can be worked on.
We have had only had a few games, it can be worked on.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 19:37
Yes it can and should be worked on.
Yeah, but then we haven't exactly faced top quality attacks and midfield yet.
Quote:Philly
though, so far this season, we've conceded less than anyone in the league (opposition granted)!!
Yeah, but then we haven't exactly faced top quality attacks and midfield yet.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 20:13
Quote:Agreed Rockstaar, though our defence is still the worst out of the top four.
based on what?
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 20:25
Quote:RockstaarQuote:Agreed Rockstaar, though our defence is still the worst out of the top four.
based on what?
Based on this:
2007-2008 League Table
Pos Team P W D L F A +/- Pts
1 Manchester United 38 27 6 5 80 22 58 87
2 Chelsea 38 25 10 3 65 26 39 85
3 Arsenal 38 24 11 3 74 31 43 83
4 Liverpool 38 21 13 4 67 28 39 76
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 20:55
Quote:Pos Team P W D L F A +/- Pts
1 Manchester United 38 27 6 5 80 22 58 87
2 Chelsea 38 25 10 3 65 26 39 85
3 Arsenal 38 24 11 3 74 31 43 83
4 Liverpool 38 21 13 4 67 28 39 76
what is that OG?
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Zainy (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 21:01
last seasons end of season stats.
think rockstaar is basing his judgement on current standards not last seasons.
On current form united defence is definatley not as solid as last seasons and Vidic has gone the way of Toure post AFCON.
think rockstaar is basing his judgement on current standards not last seasons.
On current form united defence is definatley not as solid as last seasons and Vidic has gone the way of Toure post AFCON.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 21:11
Click on the link Rockstaar.
Yes, but its only been 4 games so far, so it doesn't matter even at the begining of last seaon our defense looked too and Man U's looked crap, but look how it ended up:
Man U concede 22, Chel$ki 26, Liverpool 28 and us 31.
Quote:Zainy
think rockstaar is basing his judgement on current standards not last seasons.
On current form united defence is definatley not as solid as last seasons and Vidic has gone the way of Toure post AFCON.
Yes, but its only been 4 games so far, so it doesn't matter even at the begining of last seaon our defense looked too and Man U's looked crap, but look how it ended up:
Man U concede 22, Chel$ki 26, Liverpool 28 and us 31.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Zainy (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 21:17
True. Too early to make predictions on the league.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 21:29
Exactly, saying that we concede 1 goals in the first 4 matches of the Prem this season, show nothing about how good or bad our defence is.
Now I am not saying our defence will be as bad as last season, actually I beleive will much better, but at the moment our defence still is the worst out of the top 4 clubs, as we haven't played enough games this season to prove otherwise.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:15:23:18:09 by Optimistic Gunner.
Now I am not saying our defence will be as bad as last season, actually I beleive will much better, but at the moment our defence still is the worst out of the top 4 clubs, as we haven't played enough games this season to prove otherwise.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:09:15:23:18:09 by Optimistic Gunner.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 21:57
well Im talking about this season mate..going off results of games played..not about to be played...our defense is getting sh.t for the games they've played this season..not last
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 22:05
Yeah, but like I said at this time last years it was the same situation.
4 games don't prove that we are either good or c.rap, its a marathon not a sprint, so you have go by the last definite proof and that is the last season's end of season stats.
Our defense still has the flaws from last season and they need to fixed soon (we seriously need to improve our defensive traning and tactics and IMO we need a coach for that), or we are likely to concede as many goals as last season.
At the moment our defense, though still good, is not up to the current standard of major trophy wining teams.
4 games don't prove that we are either good or c.rap, its a marathon not a sprint, so you have go by the last definite proof and that is the last season's end of season stats.
Our defense still has the flaws from last season and they need to fixed soon (we seriously need to improve our defensive traning and tactics and IMO we need a coach for that), or we are likely to concede as many goals as last season.
At the moment our defense, though still good, is not up to the current standard of major trophy wining teams.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 22:21
Surely we have only conceded one in Prem so far? Three clean sheets and one against Fulham.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 22:25
Quote:At the moment our defense, though still good, is not up to the current standard of major trophy wining teams.
are they any worse than Manu or chelsea?
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 23:27
Quote:RockstaarQuote:At the moment our defense, though still good, is not up to the current standard of major trophy wining teams.
are they any worse than Manu or chelsea?
Yes.
Sure, our defense is still on of the best in the Prem, but its not solid enough. Although our first choice FBs the best omong the best (if not the best already), our central defense is unbalanced and has been for at least three season.
Lets put it this away, if we can get only 4 points of wining the title with even with this defense, then just think how much better we can be if our defensive flaws are fixed. Our atatcking ability in the top 3 of the world and if we combine that with a rock solid defense than we can dominate the football world.
Quote:Padre Pio
Surely we have only conceded one in Prem so far? Three clean sheets and one against Fulham.
Opps, yeah you are right Padre.
I have corrected the mistake now.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 15/09/2008 23:32
I agree it was the defence that cost us the Prem last year
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 16/09/2008 00:15
The funny thing is that I have been a defense fan in any sport or even in video games.
My motto is that the best form of defense is attack.
I always like attack minded teams. I actually admire that even though are Tottenham are s.hite, they still try to play attacking football. I tottaly despised Mourinho's Chel$ki mostly because of thier defensive style (I still hate them but thats cos they are our rivals and they ruined the financial structure of football) and I still hate Liverpool for it.
I am so grateful that my local football club is Arsenal are now known for our unique attacking beautiful style of football.
However over the last two season I have found myself increasing concernced about our defense.
I know that AW's football philosophy is to play an attacking passing technical game and rightly so.
His motto to win games is "if you score 3 aganst us than we will score 4 against you" and that has worked in the past, but ever since the parking of the bus style became popular and Mourinho made defensive style even more popular, we struggled to maintain the outscoring your opponent thing consistently as now the lesser teams do not allow us to play as they switch to ultra defensive mode against us.
This along with our loss of balance in your central defense (Toure and Gallas are too similar and are unbalanced as a CB partnarship), we have become prone to leaking in soft goals to a point that it sometimes hinders our attacking players as they become conscious of our shaky defense and thus they aren't free enough to express themselves properly (e.g, Cesc).
This why we need a rock solid defense to not only stop conceding soft goals but to also to allow our attacking players the freedom to thier thing to thier potential and thus regaining our defense ripping attacks (which thankfully looks like we are doing by the results of the last 3 games).
Also its not like there needs to be major changes to fix our defense but simple things like hiring a new coach to improve or defensive training and tactics to make our back four more organised and make our TEAM play as a unit, like we did in the CL in 05/06.
My motto is that the best form of defense is attack.
I always like attack minded teams. I actually admire that even though are Tottenham are s.hite, they still try to play attacking football. I tottaly despised Mourinho's Chel$ki mostly because of thier defensive style (I still hate them but thats cos they are our rivals and they ruined the financial structure of football) and I still hate Liverpool for it.
I am so grateful that my local football club is Arsenal are now known for our unique attacking beautiful style of football.
However over the last two season I have found myself increasing concernced about our defense.
I know that AW's football philosophy is to play an attacking passing technical game and rightly so.
His motto to win games is "if you score 3 aganst us than we will score 4 against you" and that has worked in the past, but ever since the parking of the bus style became popular and Mourinho made defensive style even more popular, we struggled to maintain the outscoring your opponent thing consistently as now the lesser teams do not allow us to play as they switch to ultra defensive mode against us.
This along with our loss of balance in your central defense (Toure and Gallas are too similar and are unbalanced as a CB partnarship), we have become prone to leaking in soft goals to a point that it sometimes hinders our attacking players as they become conscious of our shaky defense and thus they aren't free enough to express themselves properly (e.g, Cesc).
This why we need a rock solid defense to not only stop conceding soft goals but to also to allow our attacking players the freedom to thier thing to thier potential and thus regaining our defense ripping attacks (which thankfully looks like we are doing by the results of the last 3 games).
Also its not like there needs to be major changes to fix our defense but simple things like hiring a new coach to improve or defensive training and tactics to make our back four more organised and make our TEAM play as a unit, like we did in the CL in 05/06.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 16/09/2008 21:47
But where are footballing CBs of the standard Wenger requires?
It certainly aint Micah Richards
It certainly aint Micah Richards
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 16/09/2008 22:54
Sagna is a dominant defender(even if he ain't that tall he is still very good in the are and the best overall defender in our club) yet he is good on the ball too, so they are not as rare as you might.
Now Man U have Vidic and Rio, but they still play attractive football, Barca have Puyol and they still play attractive football, Real have Pepe, yet they still play attractive football, etc...
We had Sol, yet we still our best football with him in teh squad.
My point is that the whole team doesn't have too be good on the ball to play Wengerball.
The way AW is going, you would think that we would like Almunia to hellp the attack with good tecjinal skill too, lol.
We don't have to comprimise our unique style of play to make our defense rock solid.
Like I said we don't even have to change any of our current players, but just improve our defensive training and tactics by getting a new good coach (as our whoever is currently doing the defensive training sucks).
The organisation of our back four is of poor standards. At this is not even as good as Prem standard but that of the lower leagues.
Now Man U have Vidic and Rio, but they still play attractive football, Barca have Puyol and they still play attractive football, Real have Pepe, yet they still play attractive football, etc...
We had Sol, yet we still our best football with him in teh squad.
My point is that the whole team doesn't have too be good on the ball to play Wengerball.
The way AW is going, you would think that we would like Almunia to hellp the attack with good tecjinal skill too, lol.
We don't have to comprimise our unique style of play to make our defense rock solid.
Like I said we don't even have to change any of our current players, but just improve our defensive training and tactics by getting a new good coach (as our whoever is currently doing the defensive training sucks).
The organisation of our back four is of poor standards. At this is not even as good as Prem standard but that of the lower leagues.
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Padre Pio (IP Logged)
Date: 16/09/2008 23:06
You have some good points, the defence can improve, but lets not over do it.
Arsenal's defence is a top four defence, its the worst of the top four but better than the rest of the Prem, and certainly not lower leagues.
Man U football is nowhere as attractive as ours.
Wenger wants to create total football. So what CBs can he buy?
The ones you mention are spoken for. So who is available?
I agree more organisation is needed, who is to say he isnt working on it, he has bought Silvestre to help teach them
Arsenal's defence is a top four defence, its the worst of the top four but better than the rest of the Prem, and certainly not lower leagues.
Man U football is nowhere as attractive as ours.
Wenger wants to create total football. So what CBs can he buy?
The ones you mention are spoken for. So who is available?
I agree more organisation is needed, who is to say he isnt working on it, he has bought Silvestre to help teach them
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Rockstaar (IP Logged)
Date: 16/09/2008 23:13
Quote:The organisation of our back four is of poor standards. At this is not even as good as Prem standard but that of the lower leagues.
only 1 goal scored and not prem standard..oh gosh
Re: Blackburn not that hard a place to visit
Posted by: Optimistic Gunner (IP Logged)
Date: 17/09/2008 00:00
Quote:RockstaarQuote:The organisation of our back four is of poor standards. At this is not even as good as Prem standard but that of the lower leagues.
only 1 goal scored and not prem standard..oh gosh
Its obvious that basing this view and what happened last season we haven't played enough games this season yet to judge if our defense has improved or not.
Plus I am talking about our back four organisation (not how good they are overall), which even in this seasons games has been top notch but average.
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