Blackburn Preview

Hello Everyone,

Its been two weeks since the mouth watering thumping of Newcastle United at the Emirates when at that point Kevin Keegan was in charge, we were hoping for a signing and Manchester City were a normal average football club (that's how long its been!) The wait is almost over boys & girls. The real football is back as Blackburn Rovers host Arsenal tommorow at Ewood Park at 1500 GMT.

Our boys, spare Almunia, Denilson & Adebayor (who refused to play), were all away on International duty and therefore the fatigue factor of travelling about & playing has to be taken into consideration. The game, by no means, is going to be a walk in the park. Blackburn play a rough physical game and Paul Ince's men cerainly have a point to prove after the embarassment they faced at the hands of West Ham. That said, I personally think we should be able to cope with their direct physical approach by playing our usual game. The confidence is high, after the Newcastle drubbing and I'm hopeful we should be able to bring all three points home albeit not with the glitz & glam we saw a couple of weeks ago.

Moving onto team news for tommorow, it seems we're waiting on a fitness test on our creative wizard Samir Nasri before he can be declared fit to play. Carlos Vela also looks set to be given more recovery time following a late return from international duty with Mexico. Silvestre is still out injured and we may also rest Theo Walcott as le boss had the following to say:

"Will Walcott play? I don't know. I will have to rotate the squad now, You can't expect the players who have played for their national teams to play three times in a week."

Speaking of Theo Walcott, AW believes that Theo has it in him to be as good as Thierry Henry, but cautioned that time and patience is required and one should not overburden him with expectations, he says:

The potential is there - but do not make him Thierry Henry before he is Thierry Henry, one game is one game, a career is something different, it is consistency. I am convinced it is in him, but let it get out and give him time."

I agree with the boss a 100%. He has the class and the quality, time is of essence here.

Moving on to other fitness news, it has now been revealed by Petr Rada (Czech Republic's head coach) that Tomas Rosicky's comeback has suffered some sort of set back (suprise, surprise). Petr had the following to say:

"Tomas has started another stage of recovery, including training with the ball. But recently his knee reacted badly to that. It is very difficult to predict if he will be ready for the World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Slovenia in October."

I know Rosicky's a great footballer but truth be told I'm beginning to get sick and tired of all this and I think he'd be better off plying his trade where the demands aren't as high as England.

Onto Blackburn now, Paul Ince has handed a three-month performance-related deal to Robbie Fowler. The former Liverpool striker, a free agent after leaving Cardiff, will come straight into the first team and his first match back into the prem will be against us. I haven't seem him play for some time now but on his day he can put in some good performances. He is well past his best now though and even if he does eventually deliver the goods for Blackburn, I doubt it will happen as soon as tommorow.

Finally, there's a bit of news regarding Giovinco. Have a read yourself and make what you will.

Here's to all three points & a million goals by The Arsenal.

Come on you Gunnneeerrrssssssssssss!!