Arsenal has kicked off the 2011 year a bit disappointing, sitting in the middle of the table just under a month into the season. Meanwhile, the Blackburn Rovers are occupying the very bottom of the table at the 20 spot, trying to mount some sort of momentous charge to earn respect.
Now the two will square off for the first time this season on Saturday at Ewood Park, with Blackburn still chasing their first win of the season while the Gunners aim to build on their first success of the campaign.
Arsenal vs. Blackburn
Venue/Stadium: Ewood Park in England
Time/Date: 7:45, Saturday, September 17, 2011
Odds From: 5 Dimes
Moneyline: Arsenal -108, Blackburn +361, Draw +254
Spread (ATS): Arsenal -1/2, -111
Blackburn has lost three of their first four games of the 2011 Premier League season, including a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa and 2-1 heart wrenching loss to the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Rovers defense has been pedestrian through the first four games, and their goal keeper Paul Robinson has conceded seven goals.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s defense looked like the escort service in their Aug. 28 matchup against Manchester United, conceding eight goals to the Premier League favorite. However, other than that game, they have only allowed two goals. That match against Manchester United killed the team’s momentum, and the 2-0 loss to Liverpool only added to their frustration.
Goal keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who Arsenal has put all their trust in for the past three years, has shown yet again why people laugh at the fact that the is still a starting between the sticks in the highest level of British football.
If Arsenal is ever to get over the hump, they still need to find an adequate replacement for Szczesny.
In the meantime, midfielder David Dunn has been a fierce and intimidating presence for Blackburn, but has failed to score a goal all year. He is exactly what the team needs if they are going to avoid the drop come year’s end, but he has to play up to his potential, and he hasn’t done that so far.
The Rovers have been beat up by Arsenal since making it into the Premier League, having lost nine times at home to the Gunners, the most times they’ve lost on their own ground than any other Premier League club.
Both side are kicking off their season at the lowest point in their Premier League history, and now will get a chance to redeem themselves against the other. Both also desperately need this win, as they have some tough matches down the road, and this would be a perfect stepping point for either team to get a push in the right direction.
Matt’s Prediction: Arsenal 1, Rovers 0 – History doesn’t lie, well, most of the time, and the Rovers have been on the bad side of it against Arsenal, especially in their home stadium. I don’t expect this to change as the Rovers have looked like the are destined for the cut since the season kicked off.
