Arsenal 0 – Blackburn 0: Arsenal Exposed as Title Pretenders with Failure to Beat 10-Man Blackburn

By: Martin | April 2nd, 2011

Awful. Just awful.

Not to be too dramatic, or to put too fine a point on it, but today was a tale of two teams. One team went down 2-0, on the road, to a team that’s been playing quite well lately. How did they respond? They banded together, simply decided to win, and scored 4 goals in a breathtakingly dominant 20-minute span to win 4-2. The other team was playing at home against a team that was one of the worst road teams in the league, a team that hadn’t kept a clean sheet away from home all season, and a team that went down to 10-men. That team looked out of sorts, couldn’t make the most of its chances, and suffered a punchless 0-0 draw. There’s still games left to play, but based on today’s evidence, I don’t think it’s any mystery which team is the heavy favorite, and why.

This team is as frustrating as about any as I can remember. The teams at the top of the league are as weak as any year in the last decade or so. The league was there for the taking for us this year. Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool will all be better this year than they were this year. All we had to do was band together and take advantage of a relatively tame run-in to put ourselves right in the mix. Instead, in our last three league matches, we had: a 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland, who have been woeful away from home this season, a 2-2 draw away to relegation candidate West Brom, and a 0-0 home draw against Blackburn today. If we had taken care of business in those matches, we’d be one point behind Manchester United with a game in hand and the head-to-head match at the Emirates — effectively in first-place. Instead our title hopes are on life support and slipping away with every match we play.

It’s maddening. When the chips are down, and we need to raise our games, we do the exact opposite. Blackburn played well, Robinson made saves, we were coming back from injuries, etc., but I’m honestly just sick and tired of all the excuses. Champions overcome obstacles; others use obstacles as excuses. We’ve fallen into the latter category for far too long, and now it looks much more likely than not that we’re looking at our 6th consecutive season.

I’m not sure I can really stomach the blow-by-blow for this one, so I beg your indulgence on this one. Here’s basically what happened: Blackburn kept everyone behind the box, just like we knew they would. They created some chances from long balls into the box and from set pieces, and Almunia definitely had a few shaky moments. But we had most of the possession in their end, but had no cutting edge in and around the Blackburn box, failing to create enough chances and wasting the chances we did create. How many times have we said that the last few seasons?

We’re underdogs, with 5 out of the 8 remaining fixtures away from the Emirates and 7 points to make up, even with the game in hand. It’s not impossible, but it is certainly improbable. Honestly, the big issue at this point isn’t fixtures, or points, or anything like that — it’s that we’re playing like ass at the moment, and we need to turn it around. We have another week to try to get it sorted out.

On to the ratings:

Almunia 5.5 Definitely had a few shaky moments and left the goal exposed, and was a bit lucky to escape with a clean sheet. Generally claimed the ball well, but seems prone to 2-3 bad mistakes per game, which still makes him a big liability.

Sagna 6 Thought he was a bit shaky again — didn’t really contribute much to the attack, and really struggled to deal with Blackburn attacking down his flank.

Clichy 7 Co-Man of the Match. Very assured display from Gael — didn’t get out of position and supported the attack well and had a couple of really nice clearances. Looks up for the run-in.

Koscielny 6.5 Solid display from LK6 today — battled in the air, didn’t get caught too far forward, and was doing what he could to get the team started going the other way. By far the most consistent performer of the “unholy trio.”

Squillaci 6 Although Squizz wasn’t too shabby today, either. Maybe it’s just because our defense wasn’t tested too much, but he worked hard, didn’t get caught out of position and took care of the ball.

Song 5.5 I thought he was pretty bad today — kept slipping on the turf, missing tackles, and getting caught out of position. Added basically nothing to the attack, either. Still a better option than Denilson or Diaby, and I’m sure he’ll back back into form with some more playing time, since this was his first game back from injury.

Wilshere 6 Worked hard, but couldn’t get it going today. Has got to learn to shoot when he’s got the ball in space in the box — may very well have cost us 2 points by passing when he should have shot today.

Nasri 6.5 Got to give him some credit for carrying on despite taking a nasty knock to the head going for a header early on. He worked hard, but didn’t really provide the creative spark we needed in the advanced midfield role.

Arshavin 6 A few decent shots, and one great block made by a good bit of hustle while tracking back. But gave the ball away a lot in advanced positions and killed a lot of moves, as well.

Theo 7 Co-Man of the Match. Definitely reminded us of how much we missed him — got behind the defense multiple times in dangerous positions, but couldn’t provide the final ball from there. Still could stand to use a bit of sharpness, but it’s great to have him back.

van Persie 6 Not at his best today. May not have gotten the best of service, but did get the ball in advanced positions. Today’s the kind of day when we look to our talismanic striker to create a goal to get us the win. He didn’t.

Cesc 6 A few bright moments, but couldn’t help us break through the Blackburn defense.

Chamakh 5 Anonymous.

Bendtner 5.5 Worked hard and had one really good headed chance, but didn’t quite do what he was brought on to do.

Okay, that’s it. It’s very, very disappointing, but next week is another game, and if we can manage to run the table the rest of the season, we may have a chance at this. Enjoy the rest of your weekends.

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Category: Arsenal News, Blackburn, Fixtures, Match Review, Premiership

« Arsenal – Blackburn Match Thread | Home | Negativity Reigns »

El Cid

To whoever is rating the players... Wake up and watch the game!
Almunia 5.5??? This keeper is the worst in the Premiership and propably all of the Championship. Every save (when he makes one) is shakey and almost verey goal a calamity. This keeper has .5 goal mistake average per game. Rating in this game 3.0!

Why does Wenger use Song and Wilshire as 2 off the 3 mildfielders! As much as I like Song he doesn't offer much offensively. Song is a good sub but after the like of Perez and company not really up to the old standard.

Wiltshire could easily play his role while adding Rozicky would have helped the attack.
Remember back at the start of the season how weel Rozicky played?

How does Arsenal playing a 4-3-3 pressure the opposition when the formation is played as a 4-5-1? You can't play a 4-3-3 with a defensive midfielder. It takes away from the attack.
Arsenal's attack is too slooooow and predictable. Having the ball and looking for the sweet play through a wall doesn't work that often. How many times will it take for Wenger to smack his head against these types of walls before he realizes this! It's not about la Ball its about la play!

Does this 4-5-1 work for Van Persie, Theo, Chamakh or Bentner? No! These guys are suited to a 4-4-2. As for Theo and Arshavin they were our best players until Wenger took them off. What stupidity! Better to play a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield with Arshivan up top and Nasri and Rozicky on the side with Wilshire on the bottom (or Song as a sub).

As for Cesc our glorious captain. He's living off of last years fame! His work rate is pathetic. Maybe he can pass but that's about all folks. How did he rate a 6? He was a very poor 5.

As for Nasri. Since Cesc is playing so bad why does Nasrie have to move over for him? Weren't we winning with Nasri?

And thank God for the fact that "Mr. Sideways" (Denilson) wasn't playing. (100 percent sideways passing!) Just thinking he could made me shutter with the fear of an Almunia owe goal. Same with the "Lounge Lizard" Diaby!

Wenger rated his usually 4! He seems always confused! He still not understand tactics! His substitutions are routine. How many games did it take before he finally stopped playing (never mid starting) Denilson and Diaby? How many years will it take without a trophy before management realises he has lost his marbles?

And finally Rosicky rated an 8! Not because he played but because of the spirit of his play is an 8 and was sorely missed! Oh! and Jens rates an 8 too! Every time the camera showed him I thought it was because he was coming on to replace "Mr. Circus" the circus act we have in goal.
everetro

I think that the fact there are five away games left is to our advantage. The vitriol emanating from the so-called supporters at the Emirates does nothing to lift the side. Leave this fuckin shit until the end of the season until then get behind the team.
russianfan

just read on arsha's website his post-match interview for arshavin.com. he was surprised to have been substituted. when i watched the game i though it could have been a plan for the match that he runs a lot but gets off the field earlier. but in his own words he was very much in the game that day and didn't expect this. of course i'm biased but really wasn't it an odd decision by wenger
Homey_Mills

I don't have much to add. Just that this result makes the loss in the CC final much more sickening. At that time, I thought we had a decent chance at a better title of some kind. Now that I see we don't, I really feel bad about losing that one.
JG

You know, you are absolutely right. At this point, I would gleefully exchange the two league wins over Birmingham in exchange for the Carling Cup, without a doubt.
Out of the title race? Most likely. Stuck in a battle for 3rd/4th? Definitely. Gotten the monkey of our back and shown that we are able to win something? YES.
Pun

Call me an optimist but.. we still have to play man utd, and they still have to play Chelsea and Everton (who can get draws and even wins against big clubs).. we HAVE to win every game from here its as simple as that..
The last things the players want is the fans to lose confidence in them.
JG

It's a good thing I DVR'd the Chelsea and Barcelona wins. They still bring a huge smile to my face, reminding me that, when everyone's healthy and in the right set of mind, this team can do great things.
It's too bad that only ever happens once in a full moon.
Zamzamil M. Nasir

i think this season got so messed up all of a sudden because of the stoke match. look back and see what happenned in that match and the aftershocks
Darren_V

You should just start copy and pasting your post-game posts. It's always the same, just different names. bleh
Disappointer

This is what differentiate arsenal from champions. To be able to enjoy the lion's share of possession and yet unable to capitalize. Yet Man united play poorly and still able to win it. Arsenal will rank outside the top 4 if they were in serie A or La Liga.

Arsene's philosophy is outdated. and i rather place a scarecrow in front of the goal instead of almunia.
Georgedb1

LMAO, we would OWN Serie A and La Liga! La Liga especially is a 2 pony BULLSHIT league which we'd own since the only serious matches would be with Real n Bartha - the other games are pretty much guaranteed.

You need to stop putting these leagues on a pedestal - EPL is the most competitive and interesting league in the world (Bundesliga is a close second when it comes to being competitive but in Europe those teams dont do very well)
Martin

Ha. Come on now. I've been very critical of Arsenal, but we would be 3rd at worst in La Liga, and we'd run away with Serie A -- the team that's running away with Serie A couldn't even beat the 5th place team in England in the Champions League.
Orion

We lost a cup final against a team in fifteenth place, and lost and drew against a team in twelfth place. 'Nuff said.
Guest

And Madrid lost to Sporting?

Does that mean Madrid is a mid table team?

'Nuff Said'?
..
bapdum

then again we couldnt beat the 5th place team in england either
Patoux21

When was the last time Arsenal actually played well in a whole game? Against Chelsea? Sagna was awful again. When will he learn to use his brain and show some balance between offense and defense? What's the point going forward all the time running like a headless chicken close to the corner flag when his offensive threat is inexistant (a good cross is like a miracle for him) and he's leaving the team vulnerable to counter attacks. At least Wenger should tell him
s j little

Someone needs to vet Wengers signings before thay are approved, put them in a really tough practice match and see if they like it! There is more to football than being skilful ball players who pass all day and night until they see the enemy and then pass backwards, sideways or fall over! Mr Wenger must be the only man in soccer who has never noticed what makes great players great or great teams great. Skill is only a part of it, he seems to ignore expert positional play,toughness,leadership,guts,craft,resilience,inspirational leaders or captains,tactical planning and appropriate adjustments in tactics and/or substitutions at the right time. Watch Manu,do you ever see opposition players unchallenged for a loose ball! Or ending up on their backside like Walcott,Denilson,Rosicky. Then look at all the silly needless free kicks given away by Songs clumsy style. Koscielny half hearted dangling of his foot,(nearly diverted the ball pass that Dummy in goal today} Sagna and Clichy rubbish upfield sorties when their finish is what Granny could do {and on her pension too}better. What the hell do they practice? Certainly not cultivating a hard shot! Why is there no poachers up front waiting like a Tiger to pounce instead of mooching around with seemingly no plan between them. All too programmed into a formula that everybody except Wenger now knows how easy it is to stifle. Boring stuff. Its not in the nature of Arsenal fans to boo but we were used to Arsenal players in the past having some pride in their performance and some respect for their love of real football. we got that even from our poorest teams, We are frustrated enough now to be entitled to boo the present lot of pancies parading as Arsenal overpaid time servers.
Shirish K.

GOD DAMN IT WILSHERE. u wanna be a English star, u gotta score too.
Martin

He's 19. He'll score. People had the same complaints about Cesc his first couple of years in the first-team, too.
Eddy

Is that a April fool joke or is that Nasri's actual hair style? Good god
Martin

It's a bandage because he took a nasty head-butt that swelled up bigger than a golf ball.
CSD

Would it kill you guys to win a match? Would you actually die? C'mon!
Gigi_man

at least, the very least, finally, finally...wenger said something was wrong...
Orion

Remember the day after the Barcelona trashing last year? He said the same thing. You might have expected that we would bring a couple of established stars. But no, of course, we did not. And he won't change that policy this year either. It mus be said, it sucks being an Arsenal fan.
Guest

Chamakh = established star?

Some people need to think before they speak...
Martin

Some people should read and understand comments before they post...

His point was that Chamakh was NOT an established star, and that we should have brought someone in who was.
sonneveld

Yeah, im certainly not blaming Chamakh because even my man RVP missed a few but in two of our draws Chamakh has missed big chances (the crossbar against sunderland and the play where RVP back heeled it to our player who passed to him but defender blocked it)

Not his fault but still, Hernandez might have buried those
Sean

Also, a late season flame out again could hamper Wenger in the summer. Fabregas sure to push for a transfer. Nasri could decide against signing a long-term contract. And potential targets could decide Chelsea, Man U, Man city better destinations. Must show some strength, even if it just means keeping 2nd place.
Sean P

Agree. Difficult times for Wenger and the club. Fans starting to get restless -- and will only get worse if he decides not to spend this summer. As the Emirates raise their ticket prices -- during tough economic times -- people will begin to question spending money on ineffectual football. People continue to question Arsenal's defense, but 0-0 draws at home against Sunderland and Blackburn speak more to a lack of cutting edge. Wenger seems to lack confidence in both Bendtner and Chamakh to do the job.
Sairax

I think you said it all. Not much to add from me.
Sean

Embarrassing. Wenger really has to question what is happening. Seems the effects of that Carling Cup loss are not washed away. Wonder if a losing mentality is starting to creep into the player's minds. If so, could be disastrous.