Kazim-Richards goal sends Arsenal out of Cup

Arsenal put in an extremely disappointing display as they were knocked out of the FA Cup to Championship side Blackburn after a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates. The Gunners had 26 shots and 16 corners but still failed to find the net in a game in which we dominated from start to finish. However in typical Arsenal fashion, we went and lost and there was once again questions over the management team and the board in control of the club. The goal that we conceded was easily avoidable which meant it was even more frustrating as Walcott failed to track the run of Olsson and then Szczesny spilt the ball straight into the path of Colin Kazim-Richards who rather scruffily found the back of the net. There were plenty of changes to the squad as expected but it was still a squad which you would feel that would have been able to beat a Championship side. Coquelin came in at right back due to Jenkinson's suspension. Meanwhile Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky and Diaby all started. There was also a place for the returning Gervinho out on the flank but as usual he proved to be an extremely frustrating figure in this Arsenal team.

Rosicky was Arsenal's stand out performer but he couldn't prevent them from losing to Blackburn

The first chance of the game fell Blackburn's way as Pedersen's free-kick was flicked into the path of Marcus Olsson at the back post but he put his effort wide.

Arsenal's first chance also came from a free-kick as Diaby got his head to the ball but once more it went wide.

Diaby then got another chance as he got on the end of Rosicky's corner but Kean was there to make a great save to deny the Frenchman.

The resulting corner almost ended up in a goal as Rosicky's delivery was met by Vermaelen but Kean scrambled across his goal to keep it out.

Minutes before the break Gervinho had a fantastic chance to give the Gunners the lead. Rosicky managed to slip the ball through the defence and into the Ivorian but he somehow slid the ball wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

Arsenal's first proper attempt on goal came from Diaby as he got space to work off a shot from outside the area but it flew harmlessly wide.

The Gunners were having plenty of attempts on goal and their next two both cleared the bar once more as first Diaby headed over and then Oxlade-Chamberlain rather spectacularly failed to find the net.

Rosicky who was Arsenal's brightest player on the day then went close as he drove a shot from range which flashed wide of the goal.

Shortly after, Rosicky had another chance and it was even closer this time as the Czech was allowed time to smash a shot which crashed back off the cross bar.

However, out of nowhere, Blackburn took the lead. Walcott didn't track his runner and Olsson was allowed to get on the end of a flick on. The Swede then struck a shot which Szczesny parmed out into the path of Kazim-Richards. He hit a shot into the ground which then found the post, and then the back of the net.

Into the last 10 minutes and Nacho Monreal had a chance to score his first goal for the club. The ball fell to him just inside the area but he drove the ball wide.

Theo Walcott had looked pretty lively since coming on and he almost found the equaliser but his header from close range was saved by Kean.

There was two final chances though as in the dying moments of injury time Giroud saw a shot blocked and then Arteta drilled into the side netting.

The final score finished Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Monreal, Arteta, Diaby, Rosicky(71), Oxlade-Chamberlain(71), Gervinho(71), Giroud. 
Subs: Mannone, Sagna, Wilshere(71), Cazorla(71), Ramsey, Walcott(71), Podolski. 

Blackburn: Kean, Orr, Hanley, Dann, Olsson, Williamson, Lowe, Pedersen, Olsson(64), Kazim-Richards, Rhodes(82).
Subs: Usai, Givet, Rekik, Bentley(64), Nunes, Nuno Gomes, Goodwillie(82). 

My man of the match: Tomas Rosicky

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 60,070

Arsenal thrash ten men Blackburn as Van Persie scores hat-trick

Arsenal thrashed Blackburn 7-1 at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon as the Gunners proved way to strong for a side that were sent down to ten men midway through the first half. Goals from Van Persie who scored a hat-trick, Oxlade-Chamberalain who scored two whilst goals from Arteta and Henry finished off the rout. The impressive win was Arsenal's first win of 2012 as they returned to top form and looked to catch up with Chelsea in fourth place. Arsenal made two changes to the side that drew with Bolton in midweek as Coquelin came in for Sagna at right back whilst Rosicky came in for Ramsey who was rested.

Celebration of Oxlade-Chamberlain's first goal

One minute into the game, Arsenal were ahead. Coquelin found Walcott inside the penalty area who then slid the ball across the face of the goal for Van Persie to tap the ball home.

Rosicky then tried a shot from outside the box. He picked the ball up from a Chamberlain pass before hitting a shot which deflected just wide of the goal and out for a corner.

Van Persie then tried an exact same shot as he had done in the week, he managed to turn Givet before chipping the ball to the back post with his weaker foot. However, this shot bounced wide unlike a similar effort which hit the bar against Bolton.

Just after the half hour mark, Blackburn equalised through a free kick after Koscielny had brought down Modeste. Pedersen stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net. Szczesny managed to get a fingertip to the shot but it wasn't enough.

Six minutes later, Arsenal were back in front. Walcott was played through by Song who got into the penalty area before reaching the byline and cutting the ball back to Van Persie to finish for his second of the game.

Just two minutes later, The Gunners extended their lead to 3-1. Van Persie managed to find Oxlade-Chamberlain who ran clear of the defence before going round Robinson in the Blackburn goal and firing into an empty net for his first League goal for the club.

It then went from bad to worse for the visitors as they were sent down to 10 men after Givet had lunged in on Van Persie.

Arsenal then had one more great chance to get yet another goal before half time. Arteta's cross was flicked on towards the back post towards Vermaelen whose effort came off the post and out for a goalkick.

Just after Van Persie's first goal

The score at half time was 3-1 to Arsenal.

Shortly after the break, Arsenal found themselves 4-1 up. Van Persie's corner was cleared, but only as far as Arteta who drove the shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net via a deflection.

Three minutes later, Oxlade-Chamberlain had his second of the game to make it 5-1. Walcott managed to get down the right flank before cutting inside and then finding Chamberlain. He then took a touch to take it away from the defender before poking the ball home.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's brilliant game then continued as he beat two Blackburn players before reaching the penalty area and finding Arteta at the back post who volleyed over the bar.

Just after the hour mark, Van Persie had his hat-trick. Coquelin beat his man before cutting the ball back to Van Persie to sweep the ball home from eight yards out to make it 6-1 to Arsenal.

Thierry Henry then completed the rout with the last kick of the game to make it 7-1. Henry stole the ball off of a defender before bearing in on goal and finding Van Persie. He then played the ball back to the Arsenal legend to fire home off a defender for his second goal since re-joining the club on loan.

The final score finished Arsenal 7-1 Blackburn.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny(67), Vermaelen, Song(72), Arteta, Rosicky, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain(67), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Sagna(67), Benayoun(72), Ramsey, Arshavin, Park, Henry(67).

Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe(35), Givet, Dann, Olsson, Hoilett, Nzonzi, Petrovic, Dunn(45), Pedersen, Modeste.
Subs: Bunn, Orr(35), Hanley(45), Rochina, Vukcevic, Goodwillie, Formica.

My man of the match: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 59,643

Arsenal continue poor start to the season

 Arsenal continued their worst start to a Premier League campaign under Arsene Wenger with a 4-3 loss to Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon. Despite having the majority of possession and shots and also taking the lead twice the Gunners poor defence was the reason for their downfall. There was some good news however as Gervinho and Song were back from suspension while Santos made his full debut at left back. Arteta scored his first goal for the Gunners whilst Gervinho scored his first competitive goal and Chamakh also opened his account for the season.

Just 10 minutes into the game and Arsenal had the lead. Song playing the ball into Gervinho who fired his shot underneath a defender and into the far corner of the net for 1-0.

Blackburn's first chance of the game came from a free kick, as the ball was floated in towards Samba but from 4 yards he put his header wide.

Arteta celebrates his goal

Arsenal then had a decent chance kept out as a corner was cleared but only as far as Arshavin who from distance struck a volley which tested Robinson in the Blackburn goal but he did well to parm the ball away.

Arsenal were looking dangerous and they then created another good opportunity as Sagna got forward down the right hand side before playing the ball back to Gervinho on the edge of the box but he blazed his shot over the bar.

A few minutes later out of nothing Blackburn equalised through Yakubu. Hoilett slipping the ball through to the debutant Yakubu who took his shot early past the oncoming Szczesny and into the back of the net for his first goal for the club.

Samba then had another great heading opportunity as a corner was put into the box and onto the head of Samba but again he could not direct his opportunity on target.

11 minutes before the break Arsenal regained the lead. Ramsey being set free down the right hand side and getting the space to find Arteta inside the box who smashed a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net for his first goal in Arsenal colours.

The score at half time was 2-1 to Arsenal.

5 minutes into the second half Blackburn were level again through an own goal from Alex Song. A free kick was chipped into the box where the ball came through a crowd of bodies before bouncing off Song and into his own net to make it 2-2.

Blackburn then had a great chance to take the lead as Formica went clear of the defence and through on goal but was denied by a great save from Szczesny.

The next chance Rovers got they did take the lead. A Hoilett corner found its way to Nzonzi at the back post who then fired a ball back across the face of the goal straight into the path of Yakubu who could not miss from 3 yards out as he scored his second of the game.

10 minutes later Blackburn extended their lead to 2 goals as they made it 4-2. Hoilett playing a ball out wide to Yakubu who on the break found Olsson down the right hand side who skipped past the challenge of Djourou before racing into the box and crossing but the ball hit Koscielny and fell into his own net for Arsenal's second own goal of the game.

Arshavin advances with the ball

Arsenal's next attempt on goal was a golden opportunity to get them back into the game as a corner found its way onto the head of Van Persie but Robinson managed to get a hand to the header to keep the attempt on goal out.

With 5 minutes left to play Arsenal grabbed a lifeline as they made it 4-3. Santos finding Van Persie on the left wing who then crossed the ball into the box and onto the head of Chamakh who powered home a header from 8 yards out.

Into injury time and Arsenal should have had a point but for Mertesacker's miss. As the ball came into the box the giant German defender put his header over the bar from 3 yards out.

The Gunners then had one final chance to get the equaliser as Gervinho played Van Persie in who struck a shot from a tight angle but once again Robinson was in the way to keep the Arsenal skipper at bay.

The final score ended Blackburn 4-3 Arsenal. 

The teams lineups:

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado(15), Samba, Dann, Givet, Nzonzi, Lowe, Rochina(55), Hoilett, Formica(65), Yakubu.
Subs: Bunn, Hanley, Olsson(55), Grella, Petrovic(15), Vukcevic(65), Roberts.

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna(52), Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos, Song(76), Arteta, Ramsey, Gervinho, Arshavin(64), Van Persie.
Subs: Fabianski, Djourou(52), Gibbs, Coquelin, Benayoun, Walcott(64), Chamakh(76).

My man of the match: Gervinho

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 22,637

10 men Rovers hold on for a point

Arsenal have now fallen further behind Manchester United in the title race after a goalless draw with Blackburn at the Emirates. Despite the sending off and the Gunners having plenty of opportunities to score, Arsenal could not force the win but there were some good points as key men returned from injury. Walcott and Song came straight into the starting lineup after returning from injury, as did Fabregas and Diaby but they only made the bench.

The first chance of the game fell to Arsenal as Walcott got to the byline and delivered a cross which came off Robinson and almost bounced into the back of the net but for the Blackburn defence.

From the resulting throw in Arsenal got another chance as Walcott got another run at the Blackburn defence but he could only stick his shot at Robinson.

Nasri then had to come off the field for a few minutes as he clashed heads with Nelsen which left him with quite a large bump on the corner of his forehead.

Arsenal then really should have been ahead as Nasri played the ball into Wilshere who was in acres of space on the edge of the six yard area but he put the shot wide.

Blackburn then had two chances in quick succession, as first Olsson tested the hands of Almunia and then Hoilett drove wide from inside the penalty area.

Just before the break the visitors had a great chance to take the lead as Nzonzi got ahead of Almunia from the set piece but he put his header wide.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Koscielny who from Nasri's corner could only find the hands of Robinson in the Rovers goal.

They then had another chance to test Robinson as Van Persie drove a shot from range but it was tame and the Blackburn goalkeeper made an easy save.

With 15 minutes to play Blackburn went down to 10 men after Nzonzi went into a tackle two footed on Koscielny.

Bendtner came on for Nasri and had a glorious chance from the cross of Van Persie but he sent a looping header over the bar. The dane shortly after had another great chance as Van Persie's in swinging corner was met by the head of Bendtner but Salgado was on the line to stop the effort.

The last chance of the game fell to Van Persie as Sagna's cross found his head but with Chamakh jumping up with him he could not control the effort and it went over the bar.

The final score ended Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Squillaci, Clichy, Arshavin(58), Nasri(78), Walcott(73), Wilshere, Song, Van Persie.
Subs: Lehmann, Eboue, Diaby, Fabregas(58), Rosicky, Chamakh(73), Bendtner(78).

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Olsson, P. Jones, Nzonzi, J. Jones(90), Emerton, Santa Cruz(62), Hoilett.
Subs: Bunn, Hanley, Dunn(90), Rochina, Benjani, Roberts(62), Diouf.

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 60,087