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Arsenal 2-Blackburn 0

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In what was to be a game which would have a dramatic effect on both teams ambitions, Blackburn and Arsenal unfortunately had to field depleted line ups. With both teams missing several stars, it was always to be a sloppy encounter.

Arsenal got of to a blistering start, with a early corner whipped in, Senderos blasting a header into the net. It was poor marking by Blackburns makeshift defence, however it looked to be Benni McCarthy who should of picked up the runner.

Arsenal dominated the next 15 minutes of play, pushing on for a second which would not come by. Blackburns first chance of the half came after a whipped in cross. Benni McCarthy could only deflect his header, which Roque Santa Cruz could not do much about. 5 minutes later, Cruz had a difficult chance of his own, stretching out to reach a Warnock cross. However, the shot went over the bar.

1-0 at the break, however things did not look too bright for Rovers. Brad Friedel was forced into some fantastic saves of Adebayor and Fabregas. Hleb went close for Arsenal, striking the post.

Rovers did have their share of corners and set pieces, however Bentley was not on song today, wasting several opportunities. As Blackburn pushed forward, it was only a matter of time, as Adebayor, who had been well marked all game, scored in the deep end of injury time, maintaining his run of goals.

2-0 it finished to Arsenal.

Player Ratings

Brad Fridel 8.5
Fantastic Saves, Kept us alive

Andre Ooijer 7
Contained Adebayor, picked up a slight knock

Zurab Khishinishvilli 6.5
Quiet game, did his job

Brett Emerton 7
Looked dangerous at times, pushing up and overlapping an unsetteled Bentley

Tugay 6
Tuggers age is getting to him, not one of his best display, but did manage to maintain the shape of the midfiled

Steven Warnock 7
Worked well without much support from Berner. Pushed up, tried to make chances and was solid in defence.

Benni McCarthy 6.5
Worked tirelessly in the middle, he really needs a goal to get his confidence

David Bentley 5
Poor display from one of our most consistent players. Wasted several set pieces, lost the ball too many times, it just was not David Bentley

Bruno Berner 4
This guy is the reason Morten Gamst Pederson plays every game. Shocking performance. Warnock pushed up more then he did. Did not look comfortable at all. Time to get rid of the deadwood Sparky

Steven Reid 5.5
Sloppy performance, lost the ball just too many times

Roque Santa Cruz 6.5
Really quite game, did not get much delivery, however he did make his runs and drop back when needed.

Jason Roberts
No time to make an impact

Aaron Mokoena
No time to make an impact
No time to make an Impact

Sasmans Thoughts
At times it did appear that we could get the equaliser. However, this was all down to Emerton and Warnock pushing on forward, rather then Berner or Bentley. Benni Mc couldnt do much in the middle, with Reidy losing the ball just too many times. Thank God for Friedel.

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