Source: Telegraph
Blackburn Rovers 1 Arsenal 2: match report
The repetitive nature of this rivalry does little to diminish the pleasure given by its pantomime nature but, even with a Robin van Persie injury to contend with, it was Arsene Wenger's turn to enjoy a sense of vindication. [LNB]Theo Walcott had given his side an early lead that was cancelled out by a first Premier League goal for Blackburn Rovers from on-loan Manchester United forward Mame Biram Diouf. [LNB] Related ArticlesBlackburn v Arsenal: as it happenedNullifying Scholes a priorityEduardo relishing Arsenal return with ShakhtarWenger demands referee protectionWenger relaxes age limits after signing SquillaciBlackburn Rovers v Arsenal: match previewBut after Van Persie, who was making his first start of the season, limped off with an ankle problem, Arsenal restored their advantage just after the break through Andrei Arshavin to pick up a first away win since March. [LNB]Although Blackburn had the better of the opening period, they had an early scare when Abou Diaby's shot bounced off Vince Grella and Paul Robinson when it had looked destined for the corner. [LNB]Walcott has once again spent the week having his sporting intelligence compared to Jeff Probyn and Jason Leonard but the watching Fabio Capello must have been impressed to see the winger anticipate Van Persie's pass behind Gael Givet and drill a shot across Robinson and into the corner. [LNB]Chris Samba thumped a header over at the near post from Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner but the Congo defender had a key role in the equaliser. [LNB]He strode out of defence and squeezed a pass through to El-Hadji Diouf, who drove into the area and pulled back between Thomas Vermaelen and Gael Clichy for Mame Diouf to tap in. [LNB]Van Persie had to be replaced at the interval but, five minutes after the restart, the visitors regained their advantage. [LNB]From Bacary Sagna's cross, a shot from Cesc Fabregas hit Michel Salgado and rebounded to Arshavin, who guided past Robinson. [LNB]Having made his first start of the season, Fabregas was withdrawn with 20 minutes left and even when Samba was thrown up front Arsenal were able to hold out.[LNB]
