BLACKBURN v ARSENAL
Football : English Premier League
Saturday, August 28th 2010 - Start 12:45PM GMT

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6-0 eh? So?

BLACKBURN

Blackburn went to Birmingham last week, and despite leading through a header by Steven Nzonzi, they ended up leaving without a point to show for their efforts. Sam Allardyce was left frustrated by what he saw. Morten Gamst Pedersen missed a penalty, which was saved by the Brum keeper, and Nikola Kalinic hit the woodwork with a late header. He will now have to stop thinking about what might have been and concentrate on an Arsenal team he loves to frustrate with his physical tactics.

Last season big Sam exploited the presence of Fabianski in the Arsenal goal and used the tactics of long balls and brutal physicality (getting "stuck in") to frustrate the travelling Gunners. It worked. It's a tactic that has proved successful and more and more managers utilise this rather than play Arsenal properly.

Arsenal may have pummled Blackpool last week but in all fairness, they're a bit pants. Blackburn are going to surely play the big boys up front, Kalinic, Roberts, Nzonzi et al and with these men very good with headers, the aerial threat is what they will rely on most. That and probably trying to break a budding Arsenal stars leg, in what is becoming an annual competition with those that unfortunately don't get to compete in Europe.

ARSENAL

Well that was fun, watching Theo score his first hat-trick to do justice to the No. 14 jersey he now wears. But the score was quickly put in perspective as Chelsea scored 6 too, for the second game in a row, before Newcastle joined the party with a 6-0 win over a much favoured Aston Villa. What it means is that the top 4 sides are now expected to gangbang poorer teams, and so no extra credit will be given, other than the goals scored and goal difference stats being padded, something that looks likely to come into play later in the season. The result was never a surprise, so on to the next match.

Arsenal travel to Blackburn on the Friday, to get some extra rest, ready for the expected physicality that will be the early kickoff. Blackburn are not an easy opponent, especially at Ewood Park. Last season Arsenal joined Manchester United and Liverpool in dropping points up there, and they will be well aware of it on Saturday.

Arsenal new boy Koscienly returns to the defence, but I have concerns as he isn't very tall, although he seems to have no problem handling a bit of aggression. Vermaelen will partner him and the hard as nails Belgian is one that gives me confidence to protect Almunia's goal. Still, over 90 minutes, I feel Blackburn will end up scoring at least 1. Whether it will be enough to thrown a monkey wrench in Arsenals plans is up to the Gunners frontline. Sebastian Squillaci is probably going to be signed as a defender but whether he joins in time to play is not clear yet.

Arsenal will try to weather the aggression and have players who can put up with it. Cesc will captain and run the game from the midfield and he will have all the usual players to help, Rosicky (who is having an excellent start to the season), Arshavin, Van Persie and new boy Chamakh who opened his Arsenal account last week. The name of the game will be possession and quick, slick passing. Enough for a goal I reckon. Perhaps even 6?

BETTING VERDICT

In all seriousness, this will be a tough one for Arsenal, and the price on the win of 1.65 is a joke. You can take both teams to score in this at 1.90 and that is much better value.

Arsenal I feel might squeeze through so if you must bet them, take them on the -1 AH which pays better and returns your money if it is just the narrowest of wins.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Take both teams to score in this one

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Both teams to score at 1.90 (Bet365) - MAIN BET

HANDICAP BETTING :

Or consider Arsenal -1 AH at 2.20 (Pinnacle)