Arsenal finally gave their disgruntled supporters something to cheer about with a 7–1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers in Saturday’s early kickoff at the Emirates. It was the Gunners’ first league win of 2012 and a timely confidence boost ahead of the Champions League knockout phase.
Marksman par excellence, Robin Van Persie, scored a hat-trick, his second of the campaign, while teenage starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added two of his own.
Blackburn had twice come from behind to defeat Arsenal 4–3 at Ewood Park back in September, so Gunners boss Arsene Wenger took nothing for granted in this return fixture. Aaron Ramsey, who had appeared sluggish in the 0–0 draw at Bolton in midweek, made way for Tomas Rosicky, and Francis Coquelin came in for Bacary Sagna. A surprising move this, since the defensive midfielder was asked to play out of position at right full back.
Blackburn’s defensive line-up looked vulnerable without the commanding presence of Christopher Samba. Manager Steve Kean stated that Samba was fit to play but there was a question mark over his mental attitude following his unsuccessful transfer request. Thus, goalkeeper Paul Robinson continued to wear the captain’s armband. Top striker Yakubu was still serving a suspension, which provided another opportunity for Anthony Modeste who is on loan from Bordeaux.
Gunners on Fire
The game was just 80 seconds old when Coquelin sent Theo Walcott down the right flank to the byline. The England winger cut the ball back to Van Persie who had a simple tap in for his first of the afternoon. The home side proceeded to dominate play for half an hour with Blackburn barely able to break out of their own half.
However, when they did manage a rare foray into Arsenal territory, Modeste won a free kick in a prime central position just outside the penalty area. Dead ball specialist Morten Gamst Pederson made no mistake with his lethal left foot, curling the ball over the wall and into the top right hand corner of Wojciech Szczesny’s goal. The Polish keeper got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.
That was as good as it was going to get for Rovers and normal service quickly resumed. On 38 minutes an incisive pass from Alex Song again found Walcott in space and the winger’s pull-back resulted in another tap in for Van Persie.
Then just two minutes later Oxlade-Chamberlain was played in via the silky skills of Van Persie. A sure first touch from the 18 year-old brought the ball under control, the second took him round the keeper, and the third deposited the ball into the back of the net. This is a player with a very bright future ahead of him.
Blackburn already looked dead and buried, but any chance of a miraculous recovery disappeared completely with the dismissal of Gael Givet for a two-footed lunge at Van Persie shortly before half time. Blackburn was having enough trouble defending with 11 players and now they would have to make do with 10.
More of the Same
Arsenal started the second period a bit casually, but it was not long before they slipped smoothly into gear. On 51 minutes, a weak headed clearance from a Van Persie corner fell invitingly into the path of Mikel Arteta on the edge of the box. The former Everton man had enough time and space to pick his spot and duly rifled the ball home.
Only three minutes later the visitors were in strife yet again as Walcott ran them ragged before slipping the ball to fellow winger Oxlade-Chamberlain who made no mistake.
