... Arsenal get going? No one is quite used to that yet, huh? Everyone has seemed to pick up on this new found 'Arsenal spirit' and praising the physical maturity now in the side. A week into the new season, and the Gunners are already making a few doubters turn and take notice. However, all this positive hype could potentially come crashing down this Sunday!
In Blackburn, Arsenal face a team considered by many to be a battling side with many intimidating figures in their starting XI. Although last season saw Blackburn fashion themselves into a more attractive looking side playing plenty of good football, the likes of Robbie Savage are a constant reminder of their more physical side. Teams like Blackburn have been Arsenal's thorn in recent years, and if there ever was a match Arsenal should win, this would be it! Not only is this a golden opportunity to show how far we've come since last year, but a win would also give our players belief which could prove vital over the course of the season.
Looking back at last season's results between us, Arsenal won both league fixtures winning 2-0 away and 6-2 at the Emirates! However, both scorelines do not properly reflect what went on in the pitch on both occasions. Blackburn made us work for both victories, and it did look as if we were going to let the points slip at times on both occasions. As well as knocking us out of the FA Cup, Blackburn showed plenty of improvement over the course of last season - expect nothing less than a tough match this weekend!
Alarmingly, Arsenal do have a few worrying injuries ahead of the match. Rosicky and Eboue are both out, adding to the list of absentees already including Adebayor, Diaby and Gilberto. We do have Eduardo and Denlison available but will Arsene want to risk any of them? In any case, a lot of reshuffling will have to be done. Most likely, Walcott will come in for Eboue with Hleb taking Rosicky's place on the left, simply because those are the only widemen Arsene has at his disposal. That would leave a spot up front up for grabs, and although many are calling for Bendtner to be given a chance, I still think he needs more time before we can throw him in at the start. Besides, I think the 19 year-old should be given his full premiership debut in front of his home crowd as he'd get plenty of support. That would leave Eduardo as the only option and what an option he is! Seeing him play in pre-season friendlies gave us glimpses of what might come, and although he made but a few appearances, he certainly looked as if he'd fit right in! Don't expect him to take the premiership by storm quite yet, but in Eduardo, Arsenal might have found that predator-in-the-box they have sought for many years. Let's hope he is fit to play come matchday! Van Persie vs Christopher Samba is an interesting match-up, and let's hope our defence can shut out Santa Cruz and co. up front. Bentley's name always comes up when we face Blackburn; however, our own midfield always seems to overshadow the opposition's and expect the same again this time around.
This weekend also gives us two mouth-watering fixtures, both of which could have a direct impact on the title race. Liverpool vs Chelsea could see one of Arsenal's title rivals slip early on in the season, while the City of Manchester will host United's first game without the pair of Roo and Ron. What's interesting there is the fact that United will have to do without their two top goalscorers last season, much like Arsenal had to compete without Henry and Van Persie for much of last season! Let's see if United can get back on their feet before it's too late.
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