Match Report


ArsenalArsenal     Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers
Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player Computer Player
Artur SousaA. Sousa71
G
1
G
78Vladimir KeownV. Keown
Gregoor TalanG. Talan78
D
2
D
84Celestine YekiniC. Yekini
Terry McleodT. Mcleod76
D
3
D
78Alex AppiahA. Appiah
Miguel SanzM. Sanz73
D
4
D
71Norman HarrisonN. Harrison
Gaetano AlessiG. Alessi72
D
5
D
67Anthony DichioA. Dichio
Kevin CáceresK. Cáceres77
M
captain6
M
78Alfred ThirlwellA. Thirlwell
Darren EdworthyD. Edworthy64
M
7
M
73Gabriel CastroG. Castro
Neil MikeN. Mike53
M
8captain
M
67Julian IzzetJ. Izzet
Eric AddoE. Addo81
A
9
A
77Spencer NewtonS. Newton
Manuel FonsecaM. Fonseca80
A
10
A
75Victor GimenezV. Gimenez
Dave Wright-PhillipsD. Wright-Phillips71
A
11
A
65Stephen GemmillS. Gemmill
 
Andy DalglishA. Dalglish72
D
12
G
67Jamie BrambleJ. Bramble
Leon ArnoldL. Arnold66
A
13
D
66Harry McManamanH. McManaman
Alessandro PoggiA. Poggi62
G
14
M
53Duncan CaldwellD. Caldwell

Green Towers Spa
today's match is sponsored by Green Towers Spa
Match Report
The air is damp with a fine drizzle here at Emirates Stadium where Arsenal play host to Blackburn Rovers. A crowd of 19,066 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Arsenal are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Blackburn Rovers appear to be shaped for 4-3-2-1.
Today's match is refereed by Dion Naylor.


0.00
Arsenal kick off the first half!
3.24
Alex Appiah kicks a strong pass forward to Alfred Thirlwell. Alfred Thirlwell sees Spencer Newton in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Spencer Newton plays a one-two with Julian Izzet and advances towards the goal... Spencer Newton muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal. It's in!! A beautiful goal for Spencer Newton!
8.16
Kevin Cáceres hacks Spencer Newton from behind! The referee warns Kevin Cáceres to calm down! Spencer Newton grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
9.22
With a delightful solo run, Alfred Thirlwell stretches the opposition's defence. Alfred Thirlwell tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball swerves viciously but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice save!
14.37
Alfred Thirlwell surges forward with the ball. Alfred Thirlwell lofts in a cross ball towards Victor Gimenez. Victor Gimenez rises majestically and gets a header on goal. Artur Sousa manages to gather it effortlessly.
15.27
Julian Izzet threads the ball through to Alfred Thirlwell. Alfred Thirlwell controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is on top of it. Nice keeping!
16.17
Terry Mcleod knocks the ball to his team mate, Dave Wright-Phillips. Dave Wright-Phillips chips the ball to his team mate, Manuel Fonseca. Manuel Fonseca whips in a cross ball towards Kevin Cáceres. Kevin Cáceres is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
18.35
Miguel Sanz threads a neat ball through to Kevin Cáceres. Kevin Cáceres plays the ball forward to Eric Addo. Eric Addo shoots from 25 yards. The ball curls but the keeper is able to reach it. Great keeping!
21.54
Dave Wright-Phillips makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Manuel Fonseca. Manuel Fonseca plays a quick one-two with Eric Addo and rushes in on goal... Manuel Fonseca rockets a shot on goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Vladimir Keown with no chance!! Goal for Arsenal!
26.41
Gaetano Alessi flicks a high ball forward to Kevin Cáceres who takes it down. Kevin Cáceres passes the ball forward to Neil Mike. Neil Mike whips in a cross ball towards Eric Addo. Eric Addo finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. Vladimir Keown manages to gather it.
39.33
Alfred Thirlwell sees Stephen Gemmill in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Stephen Gemmill whips in a cross ball towards Spencer Newton. Spencer Newton powers a header at goal. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Great keeping!
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Arsenal appear unchanged since the first half. Blackburn Rovers also appear unchanged since the first half.

45.00
Blackburn Rovers start the second half!
49.03
Gaetano Alessi knocks the ball to his team mate, Kevin Cáceres. Kevin Cáceres knocks the ball to his team mate, Dave Wright-Phillips. Dave Wright-Phillips whips in a cross ball towards Neil Mike. Celestine Yekini hacks Neil Mike from behind! Neil Mike appeals for a penalty! The referee just ignores him!!
51.52
Plenty of goal mouth action is making this a great game to watch.
71.39
Miguel Sanz decides to run forward with the ball. Miguel Sanz threads a neat ball through to Kevin Cáceres. Kevin Cáceres plays a scrappy one-two with Manuel Fonseca and stumbles forward towards the goal... Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Kevin Cáceres provides some space. He stabs the ball goalward but slams it into the crowd!
77.40
Neil Mike flicks a high pass forward. Manuel Fonseca holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Manuel Fonseca kicks a strong pass forward to Darren Edworthy but the referee indicates it's offside!
83.32
Anthony Dichio controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Spencer Newton. Spencer Newton makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Victor Gimenez. Victor Gimenez shoots from long range. The keeper is more than a match for it. Great save!
85.17
Alex Appiah threads a neat ball through to Julian Izzet. Julian Izzet flicks a high pass forward to Stephen Gemmill who brings the ball under control. Stephen Gemmill puts a great ball through. Julian Izzet races clear but the linesman lifts his flag. Offside by the narrowest of margins!
87.51
Eric Addo catches Anthony Dichio on the ankles. The referee warns Eric Addo to calm down! Anthony Dichio stretches but gets up unharmed.
90.00
The referee whistles full-time!

Match Statistics
 

Arsenal

Blackburn Rovers
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
3
6
Shots off Target
2
0
Offsides
1
1
Fouls
2
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
42.1%
57.9%
Play Area
30.3%
43.4%
26.3%

Scorers
Manuel Fonseca 22
Spencer Newton 3

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Manuel Fonseca of Arsenal

Match Ratings
1.Artur Sousa (GK)
8
2.Gregoor Talan (DEF)
6
3.Terry Mcleod (DEF)
6
4.Miguel Sanz (DEF)
7
5.Gaetano Alessi (DEF)
6
6.Kevin Cáceres (MID)
6
7.Darren Edworthy (MID)
6
8.Neil Mike (MID)
6
9.Eric Addo (ATT)
6
10.Manuel Fonseca (ATT)goal scored
9
11.Dave Wright-Phillips (ATT)
6
 
12.Andy Dalglish (DEF)
0
13.Leon Arnold (ATT)
0
14.Alessandro Poggi (GK)
0

1.Vladimir Keown (GK)
6
2.Celestine Yekini (DEF)
6
3.Alex Appiah (DEF)
6
4.Norman Harrison (DEF)
6
5.Anthony Dichio (DEF)
6
6.Alfred Thirlwell (MID)
8
7.Gabriel Castro (MID)
6
8.Julian Izzet (MID)
8
9.Spencer Newton (ATT)goal scored
8
10.Victor Gimenez (ATT)
7
11.Stephen Gemmill (ATT)
6
 
12.Jamie Bramble (GK)
0
13.Harry McManaman (DEF)
0
14.Duncan Caldwell (MID)
0