Blackburn Vs Arsenal. Predictions and betting suggestions

By Aries (Arsenal Analysis odds analyser) and 1970’s Gooner

Trying to arrive at a reasonable prediction for this game is a tough task. This is because there are still unknowns about both teams.

Arsenal’s line up is still to be decided with a doubt about Eduardo’s fitness and the pending decision by Wenger whether he should start him even if he is fit. This is because Eduardo’s inclusion is likely to mean a shift for Hleb to one of the wide positions.

Wenger may be loath to do that as it will mean changing a winning formula. Also he may not want to give Eduardo his first Premiership game at such a difficult away encounter especially coming after injury without proper training behind him.

Blackburn have a doubt about McCarthy but if he is unfit they still have Roberts to pair with new boy Santa Cruz. The real question however is what strategy and formation will Hughes deploy for this game. This decision will dictate whether he plays with one man up front or with two.

The fact that they got hammered last season home and away by playing the rather brave more attacking approach suggests to me that he will approach this game the same way in that FA Cup victory last season at Ewood Park. Conservatively.

Although Arsenal are a superior side, they had a relatively hard game away in Prague. They will be the more technical side on the day but Blackburn are a tough side.


Prediction by Aries:

Draw, 1-1

I fancy half time : draw, full time: draw

I also fancy Arsenal to score a penalty which is good value at 5/1.

This is because Blackburn will be defending a lot and with Arsenal’s intricate passing in the penalty area mistimed challenges are more than likely. Remember Arsenal were awarded a penalty against Fulham and had a clear penalty decision not given.


Prediction by 1970’s Gooner:

If Wenger sticks to the same formation Away win,0-1. Flamini could ghost through.


Best Odds at time of writing

Arsenal to win : 14/11 Pinnacle
Draw: 23/10 Paddy Power
Blackburn to win : 5/2 Coral

Score: 1-1 6/1 Blue Square
Away win 0-1 7/1 Stan James, Ladbrokes
Half time: Draw and full time: Draw 4/1 Extrabet, Stan James

Flamini to score first or last goal : 28/1 Bet 365
Arsenal to score a penalty: 5/1 Bet 365

Good luck!


Underrated Flamini can do a job at Blackburn

Walcott and Clichy should be the wide players against Blackburn

Underrated Flamini can do a job at Blackburn

By Eros, Arsenal Analysis resident season ticket holder at the Emirates

Mathieu Flamini has seen his luck change almost overnight. He was on the brink of quitting Arsenal during the summer due to his frustration of not getting enough games and slipping down the pecking order of the midfielders’ hierarchy at Arsenal.

How fortunes change. Injuries to other midfielders Diaby and young Denilson along with Gilberto Silva’s forced absence to Copa America duty for Brazil have opened the road for him to show to boss Arsene Wenger that he is more than capable of holding his own.

He has impressed during the two pre season tournaments that Arsenal won. And he has carried that into the first two competitive games of the season.

He put in a very strong performance in Prague and similarly against Fulham, a game I watched from the Emirates North Bank (I’ve changed stand if you’ve been following my posts. I am now at North Upper Stand Row Q).

Watching a game at the stadium as opposed to watching it from the couch gives you a more representative and hands-on view.

I talked to a lot of people that watched that game on the television and they all thought that Flamini was the weak link in our midfield. I had a very different view from high up at the north bank.

I thought he was fantastic; he run himself in to the ground as you would expect from Matty, but most importantly he covered both full backs very well when they ventured forward. Which they often did.

He did the same constantly filling the space up when Cesc was beginning to make those runs from the midfield trying to take advantage of the high defensive line that Fulham were playing.

He even made the built up himself playing a lovely ball to Rosicky at the beginning of the second half releasing him one on one with Fulham’s goalkeeper of the day, Warner.

It looks like Wenger will have to rely on Flamini for some time to come. Gilberto has only now returned from his lay off and will need a few weeks to get back to fitness. Diaby is injured and has withdrawn from a deserved call up for the France national squad.

Flamini’s intenion is of course to continue giving sterling performances so as to present Mr Wenger with a selection headache when the other contenders return.

Starting with Blackburn away. I can see him scoring.


Ed:Watch the goal he scored last season against Blackburn at the Emirates (6-2)on the video screen.


Walcott and Clichy should be the wide players against Blackburn

Hleb is top scorer, Robin needs a Batman and Fabregas is the real captain