'Blackburn will try and frustrate Arsenal'

By Nick Teale

Emirates Stadium is not a happy hunting ground for Blackburn Rovers. The Lancashire side have conceded 12 goals in three Premier League appearances at Arsenal's home.
 
Can this year be any different for Sam Allardyce's side? Arsenal.com caught up with Andy Cryer from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to see what he makes of Rovers' chances on Sunday.

THE STORY SO FAR
"I think they're very disappointed with the points [seven from six games] but performance-wise - apart from the Everton game, which they deservedly lost - they've played well but haven't really picked up the points they deserve and that's really through a lack of finishing. Hopefully the win against Aston Villa last weekend will have turned things around a little bit."

THE MAN IN CHARGE
"Allardyce has brought a resolve to the club. They're very solid now, especially at home. Their turn around last season was based completely around their home form. They lost one in 10 at home, they're pretty unbeatable at Ewood Park and that's based on a solid defence and not giving much away."

TALKING TACTICS
"In recent years they've been heavily beaten at the Emirates, last season especially it was so one-sided it was embarrassing. I think if Nicklas Bendtner had his shooting boots on they could have conceded 10 or 11 that day. But I think that was different because Blackburn were embroiled in a relegation scrap and Sam knew they had bigger games coming up. I think he'll pick his strongest side come Sunday and he'll go at it very defensively I would have thought. He'll pack the defence, he'll pack the midfield and he'll try and frustrate Arsenal."

IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL
"The fans enjoy seeing the facilities and going to places like Emirates Stadium but I don't personally think games like Manchester United Chelsea and Arsenal have the glamour they used to have because they almost go there fearing the worst now. I think there's such a gap between the big four - big five now with Manchester City - that they almost enjoy the games against the likes of Bolton, Wolves and Birmingham more now just because they almost feel there's no point in playing these games [away at top four clubs]."

THE ONE TO WATCH
"David Dunn is Rovers' dangerman without a doubt. Everybody has known about his talent for a long time, he's just had bad injury problems. Hopefully he's through that now and I think they have found the right position for him just behind the striker in the hole, and he's really enjoying life there. If Rovers do create anything on Sunday it will be Dunn that does it."

[Thursday, October 01, 2009]

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