Match Report


ArsenalArsenal     Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers
Luke KerrLuke Kerr Dimitri Bocharov Dimitri Bocharov
Ivan HoweyI. Howey84
G
1
G
83Ralph BrittonR. Britton
Andy MckayA. Mckay81
D
2
D
77Trevor DraperT. Draper
Hermann HaraldurH. Haraldur77
D
3
D
77Steven PowerS. Power
Manuel ReisM. Reis75
D
4
D
79Pierre-Yves KeitaP. Keita
Javier CuellarJ. Cuellar75
D
5
D
78Kubilay IzzetK. Izzet
Tony JobsonT. Jobson90
M
captain6captain
M
88Peter McManamanP. McManaman
Ben GreeningB. Greening86
M
7
M
95Francis MarsdenF. Marsden
Thierry WhiteT. White80
M
8
M
90Robert EustaceR. Eustace
Marcel Ferreira-LeiteM. Ferreira-Leite83
A
9
A
87Max PetersM. Peters
Marcus BishopM. Bishop77
A
10
A
82Laurent ClaessensL. Claessens
Gilles CotteeG. Cottee76
A
11
A
81Tomas MendesT. Mendes
 
Teddy MorrisT. Morris80
M
12
M
89Jamie SalmonJ. Salmon
Giovanni M. BurianiG. Buriani77
M
13
A
78Tommy DeaneT. Deane
Mamar LeroyM. Leroy74
D
14
D
78Lars HeggemL. Heggem

Green Towers Spa
today's match is sponsored by Green Towers Spa
Match Report
The air is cold and hail stones bounce off the ground here at Emirates Stadium where Arsenal play host to Blackburn Rovers. A crowd of 20,973 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Both Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers are lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Arsenal looks especially fired up for this match.
Today's match is refereed by Nwankwo Dublin.


0.00
The whistle blows and Blackburn Rovers get the match underway!
4.03
Manuel Reis threads a neat ball through to Tony Jobson. Tony Jobson controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Ben Greening. Ben Greening shoots from 20 yards. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is on top of it. He makes it look easy!
6.18
Peter McManaman threads a neat ball through to Francis Marsden. Francis Marsden shoots from long range. Ivan Howey effortlessly gets down and covers it.
8.01
Hermann Haraldur flicks a high pass forward. Marcel Ferreira-Leite comfortably collects the pass. Marcel Ferreira-Leite controls the ball well and immediately threads the ball forward, putting Thierry White through on goal. Thierry White muscles his way past his marker and unleashes a shot at goal but Ralph Britton is on top of it.
12.21
Ben Greening catches Francis Marsden on the ankles. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Francis Marsden hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
16.04
Steven Power threads the ball through to Trevor Draper. Trevor Draper threads the ball through to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
22.45
Hermann Haraldur makes a simple pass to Tony Jobson. Tony Jobson makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Marcel Ferreira-Leite. Marcel Ferreira-Leite lofts in a cross ball towards Thierry White. Thierry White jumps high and flicks the ball with his head. The ball dips under the bar and into the back of the net. Goal!!
28.47
Robert Eustace changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Robert Eustace knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
30.13
Thierry White receives the ball from a throw-in from Ben Greening. Thierry White flicks the ball to his team mate, Ben Greening. Ben Greening shoots from outside the area but is denied by Ralph Britton. Excellent save.
32.31
Peter McManaman kicks a strong pass forward to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens knocks the ball beyond the defensive line but Tomas Mendes is offside!
33.01
Hermann Haraldur threads a neat ball through to Andy Mckay. Andy Mckay knocks the ball to his team mate, Marcus Bishop. Marcus Bishop plays a scrappy one-two with Marcel Ferreira-Leite and advances towards the goal... Some world-class footwork from Marcus Bishop provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal but somehow Ralph Britton manages to keep it out.
34.26
Francis Marsden makes a simple pass to Max Peters. Max Peters whips in a cross ball towards Robert Eustace. With a superhuman jump, Robert Eustace connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
39.04
Steven Power punts the ball hopefully upfield. Tomas Mendes kicks a strong pass forward to Laurent Claessens but the referee indicates it's offside!
40.03
Peter McManaman hits a low pass to Max Peters. Max Peters knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
44.15
Manuel Reis clumsily knocks into Robert Eustace. The referee calls over Manuel Reis and warns him to calm down! Robert Eustace carries on, but is struggling a bit.
45.00
With some swift thinking, Andy Mckay plays the ball forward to Ben Greening. Ben Greening makes a simple pass to Marcel Ferreira-Leite. Marcel Ferreira-Leite shoots from outside the area. Magnificent save by Ralph Britton!
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Arsenal appear unchanged since the first half. Blackburn Rovers also appear unchanged since the first half. The Blackburn Rovers players look more motivated than they were before.

45.00
Arsenal kick off the second half!
47.14
Francis Marsden makes a beautiful solo run. Francis Marsden shoots from 20 yards but it flies just wide!
48.22
Francis Marsden passes the ball forward to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens whips in a cross ball towards Max Peters. Max Peters heads the ball goalwards. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
53.09
Manuel Reis knocks the ball forward to Marcus Bishop. Marcus Bishop makes a simple pass, allowing Thierry White to run into the box. Thierry White side-steps and rifles a shot at goal. It's miles wide!
60.50
Robert Eustace threads a neat ball through to Max Peters. Max Peters controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. The ball hits the post, bouncing back into play. Blackburn Rovers are unable to capitalise and the keeper manages to gather up the loose ball.
63.52
Thierry White surges forward with the ball. Thierry White rushes past Steven Power! Thierry White strikes a beautiful right-footed shot at goal but it flies just wide!
66.43
Steven Power hacks Thierry White from behind! The referee calls over Steven Power and shows him a yellow card! Thierry White runs off the knock.
67.07
Without breaking stride, Kubilay Izzet plays the ball forward to Francis Marsden. Francis Marsden threads a neat ball through to Peter McManaman. Peter McManaman knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
69.27
Thierry White flicks a high pass forward. Marcus Bishop collects the pass. Marcus Bishop skips past Steven Power! Marcus Bishop tries a spectacular strike. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
71.33
Thierry White flicks a high pass forward. Marcus Bishop holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Marcus Bishop tries a spectacular long range effort but it whistles just wide of the post!
79.59
Manuel Reis makes a simple pass to Ben Greening. Ben Greening hits a low pass to Marcus Bishop. Marcus Bishop knocks in a cross ball towards Marcel Ferreira-Leite. Marcel Ferreira-Leite rises majestically and gets a header on goal but somehow Ralph Britton manages to keep it out.
81.29
Pierre-Yves Keita knocks the ball forward to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
83.28
Javier Cuellar changes direction and makes an attacking run forward. Javier Cuellar knocks in a cross ball towards Thierry White. Thierry White gets a glancing touch on the cross ball. The keeper is more than a match for it. Quality keeping!
84.27
Javier Cuellar knocks the ball forward to Thierry White. Thierry White sees Marcel Ferreira-Leite in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Marcel Ferreira-Leite shoots from 25 yards. Magnificent save by Ralph Britton!
85.17
Robert Eustace flicks a high pass forward. Laurent Claessens collects the pass. Laurent Claessens deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Tomas Mendes but the linesman indicates offside!
87.16
Robert Eustace flicks a high ball forward to Peter McManaman who takes it down. Peter McManaman edges inside the box! Manuel Reis comes in with a late challenge on Peter McManaman. Penalty for Blackburn Rovers!!
87.16
The referee points to the spot..
88.45
Laurent Claessens takes a short run up. The keeper has read the penalty correctly. He gets his fingers to it, but the shot is too strong and edges inside the post. Goal!
90.00
Pierre-Yves Keita flicks a high pass forward to Trevor Draper who brings the ball under control. Trevor Draper brings the ball forward. Trevor Draper knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
90.00
Full-time is reached with the referee blowing his whistle!

Match Statistics
 

Arsenal

Blackburn Rovers
Goals
1
3
Shots on Target
9
4
Shots off Target
4
3
Offsides
0
3
Fouls
3
1
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
52.2%
47.8%
Play Area
30%
44.4%
25.6%

Scorers
Thierry White 22
Robert Eustace 34
Max Peters 48
Laurent Claessens 88 (p)

Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Thierry White of Arsenal

Match Ratings
1.Ivan Howey (GK)
6
2.Andy Mckay (DEF)
6
3.Hermann Haraldur (DEF)
7
4.Manuel Reis (DEF)
6
5.Javier Cuellar (DEF)
7
6.Tony Jobson (MID)
6
7.Ben Greening (MID)yellow card
6
8.Thierry White (MID)goal scored
9
9.Marcel Ferreira-Leite (ATT)
7
10.Marcus Bishop (ATT)
7
11.Gilles Cottee (ATT)
6
 
12.Teddy Morris (MID)
0
13.Giovanni M. Buriani (MID)
0
14.Mamar Leroy (DEF)
0

1.Ralph Britton (GK)
9
2.Trevor Draper (DEF)
6
3.Steven Power (DEF)yellow card
6
4.Pierre-Yves Keita (DEF)
6
5.Kubilay Izzet (DEF)
6
6.Peter McManaman (MID)
6
7.Francis Marsden (MID)
7
8.Robert Eustace (MID)goal scored
8
9.Max Peters (ATT)goal scored
8
10.Laurent Claessens (ATT)goal scored
6
11.Tomas Mendes (ATT)
6
 
12.Jamie Salmon (MID)
0
13.Tommy Deane (ATT)
0
14.Lars Heggem (DEF)
0