In what can only be described as an embarrassing, lack-lustre performance, Blackburn Rovers were humiliated and destroyed by a clinical and creative Arsenal outfit, falling 7-1 at The Emirates
Fielding a near full strength squad, Steve Kean had no excuses.
Robinson
Lowe, Givet, Dann, Olsson
Petrovic, Nzonzi
Gamst, Dunn,Hoillet
Modeste
Rovers were on the back foot from the early stages. A poor clearance from Petrovic saw Theo Walcott burst down the right flank, leaving Olsson to eat his dust. Walcott hit the by-line before cutting across goal for Robin Van Persie to net into the empty goal from 3 yards out. 1-0 Arsenal.
The Gunners continued to pressure in the early stages as Blackburn failed to clean their lines. Repeat corners were on the cards, however Blackburn managed to clear. Despite not venturing into the Gunners half for 30 minutes, Rovers managed to equalise. A long ball was well shielded by Modeste, turning his man before being brought down. Morten Gamst Pedersen stepped up, bending it from 25 yards and into the top corner of the net…. 1-1
Thats where it ended for Rovers as 15 moments of madness ended the game. Alex Song managed to split the Rovers defence with a delightful through ball and it was Dejavu as Walcott cut across for RVP to restore the lead, 2-1 Arsenal. Only minutes later it was 3-1 as RVP found Oxlade-Chamberlain who buried his first in the Premier League.
Gael Givet made matters worse, diving in with a 2 footed challenge earning an early bath as Rovers went into the break 3-1, and a man down.
Whilst it should have been about damage limitation in the second half, the flood gates opened.
Arteta made it a 3rd goal against Rovers this season, a partially cleared corner falling into his path, burying it from 18 yards whilst Walcott continued torturing Olsson down the flank, his cross setting up Oxlade-Chamberlain of this second, 5-1.
It was always going to happen as RVP produced a cool finish to claim his hat trick and when Henry came on, it was party time. Arsenal broke away after the ball was stolen from Hanley, with Henry teeing up RVP who returned the favour, Henry’s deflected shot finding the net and sealing a 7-1 Victory to the Gunners
Paul Robinson 2
Conceded 7 goals. No matter how bad the defence is, you cop part of the blame
Jason Lowe 4
Was taught a lesson by Oxlade-Chamberlain before his injury. Hopefully it is not too bad
Gael Givet-1
Poor challenge, poor performance, gets a 1 for getting out onto the pitch
Scott Dann 5
Probably the best of the back 4, a few challenges preventing the score line exploding even more
Martin Olsson 2
Shown by Theo Walcott that he is not a left back. Out positioned, out paced, out done every single occasion
Radosav Petrovic 4
Gave the ball away too much in midfield, could of worked harder
Steve Nzonzi 6
The only player moving forward and tracking back on every occasion. Nobody to work with
Morten Gamst Pedersen 5
Well taken free kick, not much else
Junior Hoillet 4
Glimpses of his ability, but always tried to take on one too many
David Dunn
Sacrificed for the red card…
Anthony Modeste 6
A solid shift, worked his socks off, looks like he would be much better with a partner in crime