Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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HIGHLIGHTS AND REACTION: Stay close to Arsenal Player for the best of the action and all the post-match interviews
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REMINDER: Stay online for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Full Time ALL OVER: Blackburn hold on for the win.
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HEADED WIDE FROM CHAMAKH: That might be Arsenal’s last chance…
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VAN PERSIE….: Another brilliant stop from Robinson. All Arsenal now…
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OH PER MERTESACKER: How has he missed that? Santos delivers another brilliant ball from the left and, virtually under the crossbar, the German heads it over. What a chance!
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ARSENAL HAVE IT BACK: Blackburn are offside and Arsenal spring an attack form the back…
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BUT BLACKBURN HAVE A THROW: Deep in the Arsenal half. And they are taking their time over it…
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FOUR MINUTES OF ADDED TIME: Still time for Arsenal…
87
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
86
ARSENAL COME FORWARD AGAIN: Walcott delivers another brilliant ball fro the right and, at the back post, Gervinho heads back across goal. Van Persie is lurking but Samba heads clear
85
ARSENAL GO IN SEARCH OF AN EQUALISER: Gervinho attacks down the left but, as he cuts inside, it dispossessed.
Top Comments:
Renonathan on Twitter says:
Game on!
84
GOAL! - Marouane Chamakh 4 : 3 CHAMAKH PULLS ONE BACK: Santos crosses from the left and Chamakh rises highest to head home. GAME ON AT EWOOD PARK
82
JUST NOT HAPPENING FOR ARSENAL: Djourou advances down the right but his cross is poor and floats behind for a goal kick.
81
HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN?: From point-blank range, Robinson tips Van Persie’s header over the bar. So unlucky
80
WALCOTT TRIES ONE: His stinging drive is deflected behind. Arsenal corner…
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END-TO-END: Ramsey tries a shot at one end but, when he is tackled, Blackburn break with real purpose. Vuckevic slows the move down, though, and Arsenal get numbers back
78
CHAMAKH NARLY SCORES WITH HIS FIRST TOUCH: The Moroccan meets Arteta’s corner and forces Robinson into another super stop.
Top Comments:
@aobarsenal on Twitter says:
Disappointing, but Gervinho is a good winger. He's a good dribbler and crosser. I've wanted a player like him for a long time.
77
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
76
Substitution CHAMAKH REPLACES SONG: Arsenal’s last change.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
A really interesting move for Arsenal here. Could be a 4-4-2 now.
75
VAN PERSIE GLANCES A HEADER: Song chips a call to the back post and Van Persie rises highest to force Robinson to top over the bar.
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ARSENAL CORNER: Theo has looked very lively since coming on and, this time, his cross hits Dann before going behind.
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TEASING BALL FROM WALCOTT: That is better from Arsenal. Song and Arteta work the ball wide to Theo and he whips in an inviting ball right across the six-yard box. Unfortunately there is no-one there to convert.
Top Comments:
@Ervin_Oz on Twitter says:
This is just not the season. Bad luck in all the lanes.
72
SANTOS FORCES ROBINSON INTO ACTION: His cross looks goalbound before the Blackburn keeper tip the ball away.
71
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
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ARSENAL NEED SOMETHING QUICKLY NOW: Gervinho darts into the area but his cross doesn’t find a team-mate.
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Olsson beats Djourou on the right, gets to the byline and his cut-back hits the unfortunate Koscielny before trickling into the net.
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GOAL! - Laurent Koscielny 4 : 2 Blackburn get another. The home side break and Koscielny diverts into his own net
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HEADED AWAY: But Arsenal work the ball again and win a corner when Ramsey’s shot is deflected behind.
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Yellow Card INSTANT IMPACT FROM THEO: Walcott jinks past Dann on the right before getting hauled down. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Arsenal. Van Persie over it…
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal really need to make set-pieces a real part of their danger.
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Substitution BLACKBURN CHANGE: Vukcevic on for Formica
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Walcott comes on for Arshavin. Gervinho moves to the left and Theo will play on the right
Top Comments:
@wemmy22 on Twitter says:
Welcome Walcott. Hopefully he can turn this game around.
63
VAN PERSIE CRACKS ONE: Patient build-up leads to a chance for Robin at the back post. Just as he pulls the trigger, Givet scampers across to make a brilliant sliding challenge. Better from Arsenal
62
ARTETA LOOKING TO PULL THE STRINGS: He is asking for the ball at every opportunity as Arsenal look for a way back into this game.
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ARSENAL RESPONSE: The travelling away fans are trying to get behind their team here but Blackburn are full of confidence. Wenger’s side need to regroup here. Still a long way to go in this match
60
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
59
Arsenal fail to clear the corner and, when Nzonzi fires back across goal, Yakuba is on hand to tap home from a yard.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
I can't quite believe Blackburn Rovers are 3-2 ahead here. The silver lining is we have plenty of time left.
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GOAL! - Ayegbeni Yakubu 3 : 2 Blackburn go in front. Yakubu gets another…
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BLACKBURN ON TOP NOW: Hoilett wins a corner off Djourou and the home fans are really getting behind their team now.
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Yellow Card DJOUROU GOES INTO THE BOOK: Hoilett beats the substitute on the left and he is forced to bring him down. No complaints there from the Swiss international.
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Substitution BLACKBURN CHANGE: Olsson on for Rochina.
Top Comments:
Mikel_eme on Twitter says:
Unlucky Alex Song. I predict the final score to be 4-2. RvP scoring two!
54
ARSENAL NEED TO BE CAREFUL: Yakubua sets Rochina on his way and he bursts into the area. Instead of shooting, he opts to cut back inside and a combination of Djourou and Mertesacker clear.
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WONDERFUL SAVE SZCZESNY: Another super stop from the Polish keeper. Blackburn catch Arsenal cold and Formica goes one-on-one with Wojciech before forcing him into action. Djourou hacks the loose ball clear
Top Comments:
@Mughamis_ on Twitter says:
Szczesny you beauty! That's why I bought your shirt!
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Sagna, who is still moving very gingerly, is replaced by Johan Djourou at right-back.
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SONG DOWN THE OTHER END: Looking to make amends for his own goal, Alex heads wide from a Mikel Arteta corner
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Very unfortunate, that. The free-kick is floated into the six-yard box and, without knowing too much about it, Song diverts past the helpless Szczesny. Blackburn are level
Top Comments:
@OlufemiIbidunn on Twitter says:
Ahh, Song! That was so unlucky.
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GOAL! - Alex Song 2 : 2 It’s in. It looks like that hit Alex Song before trickling into the net.
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BLACKBURN FREE-KICK: In a dangerous crossing position to the right of the penalty area.
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KOSCIELNY FORCED TO CLEAR: Yakubu shows good strength to muscle his way through a couple of challenges before feeding Rochina. But Laurent is there to rebuff any danger.
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A RATHER MUTED OPENING: Arsenal are keeping the ball away from their opponents, who don’t look like winning it back. But all the football is being played in midfield for the time being.
Top Comments:
ladilaa on Twitter says:
Second half! Make it 4-1 Come on you Gunners.
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SONG PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF: Winning the ball back for his side
Kick Off BACK UNDERWAY: Arsenal kick things off in the second half, kicking from left to right.
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TEAMS ON THEIR WAY BACK OUT: It looks like Bac will continue at right-back.
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Substitutes warming up: Bacary Sagna wasn’t exactly sprinting off at the end of the first half so it will be interesting to see if he comes back out for the second period. He took a whack on the far side and may have to run that off.
Half Time AND THERE GOES THE HALF-TIME WHISTLE: Goals from Gervinho and Arteta have Arsenal ahead. The visitors are well worth their lead and have controlled long periods of this first half.
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TWO MINUTES OF ADDED TIME: Arsenal look like taking a slender lead into the break…
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Arsenal are definitely good value for 2-1 here.
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ALEX SONG: Has been superb in this first half. He hasn’t let anything past him in midfield. This time, Alex does brilliantly to break up a dangerous-looking Blackburn breakaway.
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OH, WHAT A CHANCE: Arhsavin leaves Petrovic for dead on left and Arsenal have a 3 on 2. The Russian feeds Gervinho who, with Van Persie well placed, decides to have a shot. Givet makes a wonderful sliding challenge to block the effort and Van Persie wants to know why his team-mate hasn’t passed to him there.
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FIVE MINUTES UNTIL THE BREAK: Arsenal look the more likely at the moment. But Blackburn do look a threat on the break
Top Comments:
@poshbug on Twitter says:
Ramsey is delivering some quality passes...
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KOSCIELNY NEARLY IN AT THE BACK POST: Arteta takes a corner short, Santos whips in a ball to the front post and everybody misses it. The ball just hits Koscielny, who diverts it wide. Unlucky. Arsenal well on top now.
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ARSENAL COME FORWARD AGAIN: A neat flick from Arshavin releases Santos and the new boy is away on the left. He slips in Gervinho but the opening goalscorer can’t get the better of Samba, who stands his ground before clearing.
Top Comments:
@MickeyWilson1 on Twitter says:
Arteta looks natural in this squad, clever signing.
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REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
35
ARSENAL SEEKING A THIRD: Arshavin scampers down the left and nearly gets a shot away. The rain is pouring down again at Ewood Park.
Top Comments:
@chinedudamien on Twitter says:
Looks like a day for the new faces, Gervinho, Arteta... Brilliant.
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He scored here for Everton 21 days ago and he’s done it again, this time in the red of Arsenal! And what a time to score your first goal for the Club. Ramsey bursts down the right, cuts an inch-perfect ball back to the edge of the area, where Mikel lashes into the roof of the net. Arsenal back in front!
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GOAL! - Mikel Arteta 1 : 2 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: It’s Arteta with his first goal for the Club….
Top Comments:
@LinathiMbini on Twitter says:
What a cracker from Arteta! First goal for Arsenal, YES!
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TAKEN SHORT: And the cross is gathered by Szczesny.
Top Comments:
@juliopratama17 on Twitter says:
Come on you Gunners, don't give up. We looked so dangerous before that goal.
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SAGNA: BACK ON: And Rovers have another free-kick. Robinson to deliver again, from the halfway line…
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SAGNA DOWN IN A HEAP: Bac gets clattered and is in a bit of trouble here. He is back on his feet now but moving very gingerly.
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SAMBA HEADS OVER: From the corner, the Blackburn skipper is there first and heads over the bar.
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BLACKBURN COME FORWARD: Robinson punts a ball high into the box and Szczesny dithers. Samba is first to the ball and, with the Arsenal keeper stranded, Sagna is forced to head clear under pressure from Yakubu. Blackburn corner…
26
ARSENAL RESPONSE: Arshavin and Santos link-up down the left but Blackburn are back in numbers to clear the danger.
Top Comments:
@david_miller11 on Twitter says:
Arsenal looked great until that excellent Yakubu goal. I say 3-1 final score.
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Totally against the run of play. Yakubu springs the offside trap and, first time, pokes the ball past the onrushing Szczesny.
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GOAL! - Ayegbeni Yakubu 1 : 1 Blackburn goal. Yakubu pokes Blackburn level…
Top Comments:
@fredrikeggen on Twitter says:
Brilliant finish, you have to say.
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ARSENAL RAMPANT: Wenger’s boys are playing some outstanding stuff here. This time, Sagna bursts down the right and cuts the ball back to Gervinho. With time and space inside the area, he can’t hit the target. That was a real chance…
21
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
20
GERVINHO CLOSE TO ADDING A SECOND: Blackburn can’t handle him. He weaves into the area, ghosting past two defenders, before smacking an effort straight at Robinson. Very unlucky
Top Comments:
@eileeno10 on Twitter says:
Loving Gervinho, he's going to be a massive player for us this season.
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ARSHAVIN AGAIN: The corner gets headed away and Andrey stings the palms of Robinson with a rasping volley. Good hit, decent save.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho yet again showing Arsenal fans just what they've been missing.
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ARSHAVIN BENDS ON: So close from the Russian, who has started really well here. He cuts inside onto his right foot and curls an effort onto the roof of the net. It took a deflection, Arsenal corner.
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HUGE LET-OFF: Samba ghosts in at the back post and heads wide from a yard. The inquest starts in the Arsenal backline. That was very fortunate.
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BLACKBURN FREE-KICK: This will be there first chance to load a ball into the area…
15
Substitution BLACKBURN CHANGE: Petrovic on for Salgado. That must be an injury for the former Real Madrid man.
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BLACKBURN CAN’T GET NEAR THE BALL: Arsenal string about 20-30 passes together, maybe more, and the Blackburn penalty area is under siege it seems. Santos bursts into the box but can’t beat his man and Salgado clears
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‘SHHHH’: The Arsenal fans are enjoying this! Ewood Park is eerily quiet. With Blackburn sitting bottom of the table, their supporters are getting restless here.
Top Comments:
@_MohamedMostafa on Twitter says:
Arsenal on the right track to come back .. all they need now is @JackWilshere!
12
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
11
AWAY SIDE BUOYANT: So are the thousands of travelling Gooners, by the way. A perfect start for Arsenal. Arteta wins a free-kick and Rovers look vulnerable again.
Top Comments:
@Sowts29 on Twitter says:
Gervinho you legend!
10
IT ALL LOOKED SO SIMPLE: Song is afforded time and space in midfield and Blackburn pay the price. The Cameroon man slides a ball through to Gervinho, who spins behind Samba before coolly slotting across goal and into the far corner. Brilliant football and Arsenal have a deserved lead.
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Blackburn living dangerous at the moment.
10
GOAL! - Gervinho 0 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: Gervinho puts his side ahead….
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho has looked lively, and we've certainly missed him due to the ban. Great to have him back.
9
SAGNA CLATTERED: As the right-back goes up for a header with Hoilett, Bac gets caught and Arsenal win a free-kick. There have been a few of those late challenges now. The referee has a word with the Blackburn man
9
EARLY STAGES: Arsenal have started quite brightly here. As we expected, Blackburn have been full of endeavor but the hosts are struggling to create opening in the final third.
Top Comments:
TheSimonHam on Twitter says:
Hate being at work when the Arsenal are playing! Three points please...
8
VAN PERSIE HEADS GOALWARDS: He peels off at the back post and heads back across goal, where a Blackburn defender hacks clear. Arsenal starting to exert some pressure now.
7
SANTOS VENTURES FORWARD: Being Brazilian, expect him to get forward and support Arshavin. This time, he can’t find Ramsey on the edge of the box.
6
VAN PERSIE GETS HIS ANGLES WRONG: Sagna finds the captain in space inside the penalty area but, with no-one around him, he flicks the ball well wide. Unlucky.
5
ROCHINA SCREWS ONE WIDE: The Blackburn man can’t find the target from range and Szczesny sees it wide.
4
ANDRE SANTOS: Gets a few early touches. The Arsenal new boy wearing the No 11 of course.
Top Comments:
Karlbeno on Twitter says:
The team is looking strong today!
3
GOOD CLAIM FROM SZCZESNY: Hoilett beats Sagna on the Blackburn left and gets to the byline before poking a cross into the six-yard box. Szczesny is calmness personified, though, and hangs on under pressure.
2
ARSENAL KEEP IT: Blackburn have hardly touched the ball yet as the away side stroke it around in the middle of the park.
Top Comments:
ReeceJones777 on Twitter says:
We can win this, we just have to put in 100% and get the job done!
1
EARLY ARSENAL ATTACK: Sagna crosses from the right and Samba heads away from an Arsenal throw right down by the corner flag.
1
BLACKBURN GET US UNDERWAY: Arsenal kicking from right to left in this first half. COME ON YOU REDS!
GROUP HUDDLE: The Arsenal players link arms for a huddle. We haven’t seen that recently but that just shows the togetherness of this group of players.
HERE COME THE PLAYERS: Arsenal are led out by Robin van Persie, who is on 98 goal for the Club and will be looking to reach 100 this afternoon.
Top Comments:
@hanis_kai on Twitter says:
Good luck Guuners! Looking forward to seeing Santos in action. A new cycle has just begun...
Less than 10 minutes until kick off then and the away end is practically full now. The two teams are being read out on the tannoy with every Arsenal player given a huge roar.
The Arsenal players have got the call from Pat Rice and are making their way back down the tunnel. Andre Santos is the last man off the pitch and, just as the Brazilian, leaves the field…. THE SUN COMES OUT IN LANCASHIRE.
After watching from the stands in Germany on Tuesday, manager Arsene Wenger is back in the dugout today. I’ve just been handed a team sheet, Yakubu starts for the hosts this afternoon.
‘RED ARMY..’ echoes around Ewood as the away fans begin to find their voice. The starting XI are playing a possession game in a small box on the far side. Under the watchful eye of Pat Rice, of course.
A quick glance at the Premier League table sees Blackburn propping up the rest after four games. Arsenal won 2-1 here early last season and I, for one, would take that again today.
Travelling Gooners are filtering into the away end and the rain is coming down hard here. Andre Santos, who makes his full debut today, claps the Arsenal supporters as he runs out onto the pitch.
By the way, I’m Giuseppe Muro and I’ll be bringing you live updates from Ewood Park. I’ve just made my way up to my seat in the press box and the Arsenal players are warming up to my right.
Today’s substitutes are: Fabianski, Djourou, Fabianski, Gibbs, Chamakh, Benayoun, Coquelin
First things first, the Arsenal team is in: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Song, Arshavin, Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho, Van Persie
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match show. Tim Peters and Kenny Sansom will be taking your calls as well as your e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK).
Tim Peters and Arsenal legend Kenny Sansom are in the studio for today's match while Arsenal.com editor Richard Clarke joins Dan Roebuck in the commentary box.
Our coverage starts at 12.30pm (UK time) and kick off is 15 minutes later. Open up your laptop and visit player.arsenal.com to hear live audio commentary. If you're following the game on your iPhone or iPad you can listen and read our text updates too.
It's a trip to Ewood Park and Blackburn Rovers for Arsene Wenger's side this afternoon and you've come to the right place for unashamedly Arsenal-centric commentary.
Blackburn Rovers
01 ROBINSON, Paul
02 SALGADO, Michel
11 PETROVIC, Radosav (15)
05 SAMBA, Christopher
16 DANN, Scott
05 GIVET, Gael
15 NZONZI, Steven
06 LOWE, Jason
23 ROCHINA, Ruben
03 OLSSON, Martin (55)
HOILETT, Junior
10 FORMICA , Mauro
33 VUKCEVIC, Simon (65)
24 YAKUBU, Ayegbeni
28 BUNN, MARK
31 HANLEY, GRANT
03 OLSSON, MARTIN
11 GRELLA, VINCENZO
11 PETROVIC, RADOSAV
33 VUKCEVIC, SIMON
33 ROBERTS, JASON
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
20 DJOUROU, Johan (52)
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
11 SANTOS, Andre
25 SONG, Alex
29 CHAMAKH, Marouane (76)
08 ARTETA, Mikel
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
27 GERVINHO
23 ARSHAVIN, Andrey
14 WALCOTT, Theo (64)
20 VAN PERSIE, Robin
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
28 GIBBS, KIERAN
22 COQUELIN, FRANCIS
30 BENAYOUN, YOSSI
14 WALCOTT, THEO
29 CHAMAKH, MAROUANE
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
These Blackburn players are going to be so nervous now, without a doubt. A glimmer of hope.