Report: Blackburn 0-4 Arsenal
By Randy Osae
Since the defeat at Fulham, Arsenal have mainly been all about trebles. The three-goal thrashing of Newcastle, Walcott’s trio for England, and it looked to be another 3-0 triumph today before last season’s top scorer had a final say in a sublime foursome at Edwood Park.
Early season goal-starved Emmanuel Adebayor’s hat-trick was the inspiration to the thumping – that was also his third ever for Arsenal, again, another treble talk.
Arsene Wenger made just one change to his eleven that beat Newcastle – bringing in Theo Walcott at the expense of Samir Nasri, who had a knee problem.
The vibes of the international break’s positives worked very quickly as Walcott’s fine pass to Van Persie was clinically guided into the net after just seven minutes.
Van Persie was open again for his second, but targeted the side net rather.But Arsenal’s number two didn’t take too long as right on the stroke of half-time, Denilson’s heavily chipped cross from the left met Adebayor who easily nodded it in.
The visitors were then counting their way to earning maximum points, but Blackburn’s biggest threat, Roque Santa Cruz, was there to remind why he had links with north London over the summer. Indeed, Adebayor’s goal was a silencing to what was a hinting comeback by Rovers. But the hosts were fortunate enough to keep a rampant Arsenal at bay as the Gunenrs burst out of the blocks in the second half with Walcott trying to implement his international heroics.
Prior to this match, Paul Robinson was tipped to face another busy assignment courtesy of Adebayor and the English stopper couldn’t deny that as he was called into action on several occasions. Eboue also came close with his long-range try, while Toure just like against Newcastle, missed from a yard out with an attempt from a corner kick.
The game was off with half an hour to go and Wenger took the chance to rest his stars for midweek as Song came on for Walcott while Ramsey and Wlshere tasted Premier League atmosphere for the first time. The latter made history with his cameo appearance – Jack Wilshere is now the youngest player to appear in a League game for the club at just 16 years 256 days.
Blackburn did not give up in anyway though – not with the scoreline at just 2-0. Paul Ince’s men gambled, and substitute Benny McCarthy almost handed them a lifeline with a low drive that had to be parried away by a stretching Almunia.
Arsenal’s third came from the spot. Emannuel Eboue who went off on the stretcher after Warnock’s challenge in the penalty box got the Gunners and Adebayor an icing on the cake. Adebayor showed no mercy to Robinson as he perfectly placed the ball pass his frustrated opponent. But the riot didn’t end there – Aaron Ramsey’s pass beat the offside trap and onto the feet of Adebayor who strolled pass the keeper for an individual joy. The hat-trick put the Togolese up with the Premier League’s top marksmen after being so desperate to score before kick-off.
With Liverpool dramatically defeating United at Anfield earlier, promises are not to be taken in abundant from the season’s start, but it looks as though the champions will soon be over throned.
Arsenal had two factors to take from the day – they kept their defensive record still intact, an improvement from last season’s main woes. And in all, their impressive start is not awaiting a defeat, as they have already experienced it. That is very contrary to last term when the thought of a loss at some point was a burden considering the “Invincible” start.
