Match Preview – Wenger Calls for Consistency as Arsenal Visit Blackburn

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to face bottom side Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, manager Arsène Wenger has called for consistency from the team as Arsenal looks to continue a revival of its season with a win up north.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League match, Wenger felt the club’s fortune is gradually improving saying (just as his assistant Pat Rice did after the trip to Dortmund) that
“we have turned the corner but we will be judged by the consistency of our results.”

The French tactician also spoke on the atmosphere in and around the team,
“skepticism around us will only change if we are consistent with our results… the team will be under pressure at Rovers as it was at Swansea”. He further stated that “we have to show performances, consistency, attitude and quality. That makes us respected.”

Arsenal ideally should get all three points from Ewood Park with the home side on a low ebb being bottom of the table following three defeats and a draw as well as having to deal with a threatened thousand-man strong protest calling for Rovers’ manager Steve Kean’s sack just before the match.

That aside, the Gunners did have the league’s best away record last season with four losses in 19 trips and Wenger tried to stress this fact, “consider that last year we were the best away team in the league and Old Trafford was a one-off result.”

Team News

Aaron Ramsey has a small chance of being available for selection for the match though he’s recovered from the injury he picked up at training on Monday. Other than him, Wilshere remains far from selection while Thomas Vermaelen will be back after the next international break. Otherwise, it’s a full strength squad to make selection from for Wenger.

Gervinho and Song return from suspension and should go into the team directly, everyone else should keep their spot. RVP’s record against Blackburn must be taken into consideration with 10 goals in his last 10 starts against them so let’s hope he continues this weekend.

Possible Line-Up : Szczesny-Sagna-Mertesacker-Koscielny-Gibbs-Arteta-Song-Benayou-Arshavin-Gervinho-RVP

So will we be able to prove the loss at Old Trafford really was a one-off or are we looking at a struggle on the road? Do share your thoughts ahead of the encounter.

Punkenstein

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