Arsenal 6-2 Blackburn Rovers
Cesc Fabregas (centre) was instrumental in five of Arsenal's goals
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By Alistair Potter. |  |
Sunday, 04, Oct 2009 03:55
By Darren Estwick.
Arsenal were at their imperious best at the Emirates Stadium, managing to put six past a determined but ultimately overawed Blackburn Rovers side in the early Premier League kick off.
In an entertaining game, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings for the home side - assisting in four goals and scoring the other before being substituted midway through the second half.
It was to Blackburn's credit that despite bewildering forward play from the home side, Rovers were able to create problems for the home side at the back, scoring two and creating more.
It all started so well for the away side with an early goal inside five minutes through Steven N'Zonzi. It was a goal that bore all the characteristics of a team managed by Sam Allardyce, a long ball deep into the Arsenal penalty area was helped on by the midfielder and the ball looped over a despairing Vito Mannone and into the net for a shock lead.
Arsenal reacted instantly, first Andrey Arshavin broke down the right wing and delivered a measured cross on to the head of Fabregas who cushioned a header which bounced off the Blackburn crossbar with Paul Robinson beaten.
Then with the bit between their teeth, goal scoring defender Thomas Vernaelen collected the ball outside the area and crashed an unstoppable drive which flew past Robinson to level the score after 17 minutes.
The home side continued to pour forward playing their trademark easy on the eye brand of football before surprisingly falling behind against the run of play.
El-Hadji Diouf found himself free of Gael Clichy and found the impressive David Dunn who shot was deflected past Mannone to once again give Blackburn the lead.
In what may have been the turning point of the game Arsenal hit back almost immediately when a beautiful through pass by the majestic Fabregas found Robin van Persie in the clear, on his left foot, which meant only one result - goal for Arsenal.
Another flowing move by the Gunners with the catalyst, Fabregas, once again delivering the telling pass to Arshavin who finished with ease to give Arsenal the lead for the first time in the match just before half time.
The second half signalled an all-out onslaught by the home side sprinkled with occasional acts of defiance by Rovers, who were intent to be a thorn in Arsenal's side. Van Persie had a close range shot smothered before a flying volley by N'Zonzi created trouble for Mannone.
Fabregas then picked up the ball deep into the Blackburn half and after trying on two occasions to find a teammate, decided to go for goal himself with a shot which left Robinson stranded to give his side a two-goal cushion.
Still Blackburn came forward with David Dunn whose run at the heart of the defence produced a stinging shot parried by Mannone before hitting the post through substitute David Hollett. But it was Arsenal who still looked the more incisive going forward playing at a great temp and expressing themselves as only Arsenal can.
Their fifth goal emphasised this point, with a sweeping counter-attack involving Arshavin and Fabregas found the unmarked and newly returned Theo Walcott, whose first-time effort drew gasps across the stadium.
Arsenal then proceeded to create and miss various chances before capping off their afternoon with a beautiful curling effort by Nicklas Bendtner to wrap up the scoring and confirm that there is still life in Arsene Wenger's young pups yet.