By Randy Osae
Emirates Stadium
Arsenal are at much risk of finishing top-four-less than they are of being trophyless come May – bookmakers may presume.
For this club’s caliber, being among the top flight’s best quartet is often a frill to Arsenal’s successes, but as of now, it may be the pinnacle of 2008/09.
Thus, leapfrogging Aston Villa does not escape under-achieving. And Wenger will not plead for plaudits if he attains that feat – as it is not a work of miracle.
After all he has been there and done that before.
“It is not the first time,” he confessed.
“It is the first time people have spoken about it but remember in 2006 we only got fourth place in the final game of the season.
“We are used to it, it is not miraculous. Aston Villa have spent a lot of money, they have a good team. It is not surprising that there are some other teams challenging for that spot.”
Arsenal’s boss though, should not begin counting his chickens just yet.
This could be that vintage year for his fledgling side who have done the quarter-final double in the FA Cup and Champions League. To add to that verve, maximum points tomorrow will take Wenger’s men above Aston Villa – for 24 hours at least.
Good hints are; the margin between Arsenal and Villa can be resolved with one lively weekend. And who knows? with Villa Park the destination for the ever-predictable Tottenham on Sunday, this could be the weekend Arsenal are finally reprieved of their top-four membership’s blunders.
(That’s when ‘but’ looms.)
But the Gunners are not ticking all check marks at the Emirates Stadium. And if West Ham, Sunderland and Fulham came with buses packed, Blackburn will have their train loaded.
In the Premier League’s muscular ranks, only Stoke City can really subside Rovers for top spot. The North-West club are no amateurs at warding off attacking sides and not as if Wenger does not have tiny jitters of confronting Sam Allardyce already.
The former Bolton and Newcastle foreman has matched Arsene’s shoulders on a few occasions, but hopefully, Saturday will only be a matter of patience in untying another thick knot.
Eduardo will sit out the match due to a groin problem but Andrei Arshavin returns after ineligibility for the midweek Champions League outing. Mikael Silvestre (calf) is not yet match fit, while Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring), captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring tendon) continue their rehabilitation.
Arsenal Spot 
Sam Allardyce hopes to take advantage of Arsenal fatigue ( Roma’s game )in today’s encounter. Knowing Allardyce from previous encounters, he will used the long balls tactic and put his boys on a defensive mode to counter Arsenal passing movement game. I believe that no matter what approach Allardyce may come up with, victory will still be ours.
Sam Allardyce will use a physical approach in this game to intimidate Arsenal. I foresee some yellow and even a red card in this match.
we beat them 4-0 earlier this season, but that was when everybody was fit and Adebayor still scored goals.
But i still think we will win this game. Walcott will open things up and Arshavin will score his first goal in Red and White.
2-0 to the Arsenal
Man U losing 3-1 at home unbelievable stuff!!!!!!!!!
anyone have a link for the game?
My formation(unlikely wenger will do this)
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy
WAlcott Denilson Diaby/song Nasri/Vela/Arshavin
Arshavin/Nasri/Vela
bendtner
Actual Formation for match
My formation(unlikely wenger will do this)
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy
WAlcott Denilson song Nasri
Arshavin
bendtner
My formation(unlikely wenger will do this)
Almunia
Sagna Gallas Toure Clichy
WAlcott Denilson Diaby/song Nasri/Vela/Arshavin
Arshavin/Nasri/Vela
bendtner
Actual Formation for match
My formation(unlikely wenger will do this)
Almunia
Sagna DJ Toure Clichy
WAlcott Denilson song Nasri
Arshavin
bendtner
ARSENAL 1 GOAL UP. ARSHAVIN!!!!
called it. Arshavin goal
anyone watching the game online? What happend to theo is he injured again?
Theo is ok. Yellow card to diouf for crude tackle on Almunia
Thank God that Theo and Almunia are ok.
any link for d game guys, mine just went down
Sorry guys, mine is pay per view
yellow card to Mokona
God! Nasri hit the post
arsenalkidz what cable do you have that its on pay per view
Blackburn getting more physical’
.
Astro ESPN
wow Theo lost his touch!
what some life from Almunia!!!! Yes a little bit of Jens!!!!!
Half-time: Arsenal 1 Blackburn 0
It’s good to have Theos pace back on the right side…
Rovers are still there for the taking.
Yes, theo’s pace did create the first goal
how about pool putting it to Man U…would like to see those two teams play in the next round of cl.
Frankly the title race is unaffected, but that result was to prove something.
United are not a team out of this world like people make them seem.
Man U 1 , Liverpool 4. What a demolition. Could have been 5-1.
I missed it too…
Torres and Stevie G were great
come on boys…got who is this team peppering the goal with shots?????
Bendtner is rubbish..I just don’t get it….how about Denilsons hit right in the dudes face!!!!!
Come on boys
look at the slick one two passing…were starting to come around boys.
Bendtner is by far the worst forward i have ever seen.
He just missed 3 clear cut chances.
RVP would score at least 2 of those.
HE IS GARBAGE! AH!
We do all the hard work and he throws it away
If Eduardo had been in for Bendtner it would have been 7-0. But with that being said, great win. Confidence is sky high for most of our players. Especially Walcott, Eboue, and Arshavin.
Next Victim: Hull City
I really wanted Arshavin to get a Hattrick but if it helps Eboue all the best.
What a superb performance by the gritty gunners. Today’s game had arsenal written all over it. Typical arsenal, sleek passing and probing runs. The best is yet to come guys