GOALS from Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin consigned Sam Allardyce to his first league loss at home to Arsenal in seven attempts as Blackburn Rovers were beaten this afternoon.
Arsenal went ahead in the 20th minute as Robin van Persie played in Walcott and the flying winger superbly drilled a shot into the bottom corner.
Rovers were back on level terms seven minutes later, though, as El-Hadji Diouf brilliantly made it past Laurent Koscielny to the by-line and squared for compatriot Mame Biram Diouf to tap over from close range – his first league goal for Blackburn after his Carling Cup hat-trick against Norwich in midweek.
El-Hadji Diouf
But Arsenal restored their lead six minutes after half time as Cesc Fabregas shot hit Walcott and rebounded into the path of Arshavin, who coolly found the net.
Arsenal had a degree of control as they dominated possession and, although Blackburn were struggling to impose themselves, they still carried a threat.
Arsene Wenger & Sam Allardyce
Nikola Kalininc blazed high after a mistake by Thomas Vermaelen but the home side’s attacks had become few and far between.
Jack Wilshere missed a great chance late on, although it would only have put the gloss on Arsenal’s first away win since March.
Goal scorers:
Blackburn: Mame Biram Diouf 26
Arsenal: Walcott 19, Arshavin 51
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, El-Hadji Diouf, Jones, Pedersen, Grella, Mame Diouf, Kalinic.
Subs: Bunn, Olsson, Emerton, Dunn, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Chimbonda.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin.
Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Wilshere, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)
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