- 80'
So close to seven as Henry threads in Rosicky, who wants to pull the trigger but under pressure Dann does enough to close the door.
- 79'
Very minor tussle between Dann and Henry. Little in it, in truth.
- 78'
Kean will likely get a bashing for this, but he hardly could have done anything about Givet's red card.
- 77'
Robinson truly must dread facing Arsenal.
- 76'
Henry surges forward and beats one, but he cannot beat another and the move breaks down. Groans from the home fans.
- 75'
Modeste has offered very little in the solo role. A tough job but he has not even attempted to be a menace.
- 74'
Van Persie sends in a cross but Hanley heads away impressively.
- 73'
Great cross in from Sagna is hooked away by Hanley. Arsenal are pushing for seven, which would spark clichéd headlines about heaven.
- 72'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> No Park, then, as Benayoun comes on for Song.
- 71'
Where's Park? Perfect game for him, you would think.
- 70'
Sagna is playing at left-back with Vermaelen in his more natural place of centre-back.
- 69'
Henry is of course after his first league goal since returning to the club on loan.
- 68'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Sagna and Henry replace the brilliant Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Koscielny.
- 68'
Changes are imminent...
- 67'
The Ox is having an outstanding game.
- 66'
A corner finds Walcott at the back post and the England man tries a dipping volley. But it doesn't dip enough.
- 65'
Still no subs from Wenger, which is odd.
- 64'
Fans cheering every pass now. So much for the alleged bin bags.
- 63'
Hoillett looks set to race through but Koscielny bursts off the turf to mop up.
- 62'
Awful, awful marking from Blackburn. Coquelin easily picks out the Dutchman with a low cross, and RVP bangs in with his right foot.
- 62'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Van Persie hat-trick!
- 61'
Vermaelen looks on, by the way.
- 60'
Terrific work from the Ox, who makes a mockery of his markers before dinking one to the back post. Arteta smashes in a first-time volley, but the ball zooms over.
- 59'
Blackburn haven't given up. But, wait, Arsenal spring clear...
- 58'
Pedersen has a chance to net another free-kick, but this time he only finds the wall.
- 57'
Vermaelen is limping. Worry around the Emirates.
- 56'
There are more goals in this game, surely. Van Persie will surely come off shortly, with Park of Henry likely candidates to replace him.
- 55'
It's 5-1. A mauling. Walcott worms his way in from the right. He is surrounded by Blackburn players but sees the Ox lurking at the back stick. A short pass is played and the youngster buries coolly.
- 55'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> The Ox scores another!
- 54'
The Blackburn fans look, understandably, utterly miserable.
- 53'
Stat: Paul Robinson has now conceded 57 goals against Arsenal in the Premier League.
- 52'
A corner is poorly cleared by Blackburn and Koscielny's toe is enough to get the ball to Arteta, who lashes low first time and fires past Robinson.
- 52'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Arteta scores for Arsenal!
- 51'
Nearly an own goal as Hanley stretches following a whipped cross from Walcott. The ball is deflected out for a corner.
- 50'
Henry is warming-up. The home fans are singing his name.
- 49'
Decent football from Blackburn, there. They popped it round nicely before a shot from the right was weak and the keeper got his body behind it. Encouraging for the ten-man visitors though.
- 48'
Coquelin sends in a delicious cross on the right. No-one there though to attack it.
- 47'
No changes for either side.
- 46'
<b>Second half:</b> Arsenal get the second period started.
The second half is about to get under way. Another four goals would be most welcome.
What a peculiar half. Arsenal dominated throughout, and went in front as early as the second minute via the Walcott-Van Persie combo, the latter scoring. But, out of nowhere, Pedersen fired in a glorious free-kick. Then, Arsenal rallied, with Van Persie scoring a second, thanks to another assist from Walcott. The Ox soon got in on the act, latching onto a delicious pass from RVP, to score his first league goal for the Gunners. Oh, and Givet got sent off. Mountain to climb for Kean and his men.
- 45'
<b>HALF-TIME:</b> Arsenal 3-1 Blackburn.
- 45'
Walcott continues to struggle when he has a decision to make. When there is one option, and he has to deliver instantaneously, he impresses. But other than that, there are issues.
- 45'
Ah, almost four. Vermaelen strikes it after arriving at the back post. He hammers at goal, but the ball hammers back off the post and out.
- 45'
Wenger must surely be weighing up whether to rest Van Persie in the second half.
- 45'
Five minutes of added time will be played.
- 45'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Dunn is replaced by Hanley.
- 44'
Van Persie was in pain. He is back on though. The fans cheer.
- 43'
The Frenchman is sent off after a two-footed challenge on Van Persie. It was a scissors motion from the defender. Had to go.
- 42'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> Red card for Givet!
- 41'
Arsenal smell a fourth, but Blackburn do look capable of springing clear and netting a second.
- 40'
A first league goal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Van Persie plays a very cute through ball which the youngster gets a toe to. He rounds Robinson before tapping in.
- 40'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> The Ox makes it 3-1 to Arsenal!
- 39'
That's a lovely goal. Arsenal work it out from the back and in a flash they are attacking Robinson's goal. Song threads in Walcott down the right, who squares for RVP. The Dutchman lashes in from close range. 2-1.
- 39'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Van Persie scores for Arsenal!
- 38'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Confirmation of the sub now, with Orr on for Lowe.
- 37'
Very iffy goalkeeping from Szczęsny as he looks to claim a high free-kick, but the flag is up for offside.
- 36'
A sub is announced over the speaker system, but it has been delayed as Lowe looks to run it off.
- 35'
Seen a replay of the Rosicky challenge. Lowe got to the ball first and the Czech's momentum carried him through onto his ankle. Looks a bad injury, although he has now just got to his feet and is being helped to the touchline. Probably should have been a yellow.
- 34'
Lowe is receiving treatment, with the stretcher out, following a foul from Rosicky. No card brandished.
- 33'
1-1, then. And you just felt it when Blackburn won that free-kick. Pedersen trotted up and executed a wicked free-kick that Szczęsny got a hand to but could not prevent from dropping into the top corner. Like a rocket it was.
- 33'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL!!!</b> Pedersen scores for Blackburn!
- 32'
Free-kick to Blackburn in a dangerous position...
- 31'
Van Persie wriggles on the edge of the box and tries a right-footed effort, which he gets a little wrong and the shot drops a few feet wide.
- 30'
Quite a few empty seats at the Emirates today.
- 29'
Arsenal work their way down the left and win another corner. The ball is whipped in but Blackburn keep things tight to ensure the attack fizzles out.
- 28'
Koscielny reads the game well as Blackburn probe forward.
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0204/vanpersiegoalgroupceleb20120204_275x155.jpg">
<br>
Robin van Persie celebrates with Theo Walcott after opening the scoring
- 27'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Nzonzi is in the book for a late challenge on Rosicky, who is in some discomfort.
- 26'
Very nearly 2-0. Mertesacker nods the corner back across and there is a stretch from Koscielny. The ball ends up on top of the roof of the net.
- 25'
ANOTHER corner to Arsenal. Pressure mounting as they push for a second.
- 24'
The corner is only half-cleared and Rosicky tries his luck from 20 yards out. The swerving shot has Robinson scrambling but it zips past the post.
- 23'
Corner to Arsenal after tricky work from the Ox on the right.
- 22'
Blackburn finally enjoy some possession. But they are forced back to Robinson.
- 21'
Arsenal have the ball back though.
- 20'
Walcott's cross is deflected to Rosicky, whose scissor kick hits a defender. Arteta follows up the rebound but drags it well wide. Ultimately, it was poor decision making from Walcott.
- 20'
Blackburn are struggling to get near the ball at the moment, without fouling that is.
- 19'
Excellent tracking by Arteta is greeted with applause. Real chance for Arsenal to make a statement of intent here following the early goal.
- 18'
A ball is clipped over the Blackburn defence and Walcott looks to nip in, but Givet is across to cover and clear.
- 17'
It's a little flat but Mertesacker almost gets a head to it. Goal kick.
- 16'
Free-kick to Arsenal in an interesting area after Song was felled by Nzonzi. RVP to curl a cross in...
- 15'
Both players are up and on their feet. Should be ok.
- 14'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Modeste is booked for the challenge. Seems harsh, as it was just his momentum which took him into the goalkeeper.
- 13'
Pedersen ships a ball into the path of Modeste, and the forward throws a boot at it before the ball bounces back off Szczesny. Modeste seems to have hurt both the goalkeeper and himself.
- 12'
Van Persie drives the corner into the centre but it's headed clear.
- 12'
Walcott now wins a corner. Arsenal have had 80% possession so far.
- 11'
Walcott's cross is deflected out of play for a throw in, while Olsson looks to have taken a small knock.
- 10'
A neat piece of play sees Arsenal work Oxlade-Chamberlain into some space on the left of the area. He drives the ball across the face of goal but there's nowhere there to divert home.
- 9'
Arteta goes down under a challenge from Modeste in the Blackburn half.
- 8'
Van Persie receives the ball in the area, but as he chests down the ball is snatched away.
- 7'
The Ox is looking lively as another attempted throughball is cut out.
- 6'
Pederson gets away down the right and floats in a decent cross, but it's headed clear and Arsenal counter-attack. Oxlade-Cahmberlain makes the space, but he pulls his shot well wide of the goal.
- 4'
Van Persie receives the ball in plenty of space down the right flank, but he knocks it back for Coquelin and the cross is cleared.
- 3'
Oxlade-Chamberlain then threatens to cause problems down the left flank, but this time Blackburn get it away. Great start for Arsenal, but Blackburn are in a state here.
- 2'
Robin van Persie is left with the simplest of finishes as Coquelin slips the ball through to Walcott after a poor clearance, and the England winger squares to leave the Dutchman an open goal.
- 2'
<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR ARSENAL!</b>
- 1'
The Arsenal fans are in good voice despite the frustrations of late.
- 1'
<b>KICK OFF</b> Modeste gets the game underway.
Blackburn, of course, beat Arsenal 4-3 at Ewood Park.
Both sides are in desperate need of a win, with Arsenal in danger of losing touch with the top four and Blackburn in danger of losing their Premier League status.
<b>Blackburn:</b> Robinson, Lowe, Dann, Givet, Martin Olsson, Pedersen, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Dunn, Modeste. Subs: Bunn, Formica, Orr, Rochina, Goodwillie, Vukcevic, Hanle.
<b>Arsenal:</b> Szczesny, Coquelin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Van Persie. Subs: Fabianski, Sagna, Arshavin, Benayoun, Ramsey, Park, Henry.
Be sure to check out our <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=318096&cc=5739">preview</a> of this encounter, written by <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/marklomasESPN">Mark Lomas</a>.
<i>ESPNsoccernet's</i> <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JamesDallESPN">James Dall</a> will bring you live minute-by-minute commentary of Arsenal against Blackburn, which kicks off at 13.00 GMT.
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