The Gunners looked in firm control after a first half that saw Gervinho and Mikel Arteta open their accounts for the club, even taking into account a debut goal from Yakubu as he took advantage of some characteristically slack defending from the visitors.
In a quite remarkable second-half at Ewood Park, though, Arsenal imploded in a fashion that is becoming all too familiar for the North London club and the under-pressure Wenger. Yakubu claimed a second, albeit from an offside position, and Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny both scored own goals as Wenger witnessed the disintegration of his defence.

Substitute Marouane Chamakh headed home for his first Premier League goal since November, but Blackburn held on for only their sixth win in 26 games under Kean, in the process condemning Arsenal to defeat and drawing level with the Gunners on four points from five games. However, Blackburn are ahead on goal difference.

Blackburn had lost nine times at home to Arsenal in the Premier League era – more than any other club – and struggled throughout a first half in which they afforded the visitors far too much space down the right wing and also saw the midfield trio of Aaron Ramsey, Song and Arteta dominate in the centre of the park.

more here on Eurosport

Defender Mikael Silvestre says that the team are not far off from being able to lift the Premiership trophy or even the FA Cup or Champions League, such is the improvement in the squad.

The team have already lost two games in the league this season, but Silvestre says that those defeats provided food for thought.

Fresh off the back of the 6-2 mauling of Blackburn Rovers, the Frenchman says that simple mistakes which allowed their opponents an early lead can be eradicated.

Arsenal went on to win 6-2. Silvestre said: “In those two defeats against City and United, we learned that we are not far from being a winner.

“We scored goals away from home which is good and I am looking forwards to the big games again this season to test ourselves. “We play very good football and I hope it will pay off. It is about being mature and the details.

“If you look at the way we conceded two goals at the weekend, if we can get rid of those moments, then we will have a real chance. We are not far from it.”

Arsenal have played a game less than most of their rivals following the Champions League qualifying round against Celtic and also faced away games at Everton, Manchester United, Manchester City and Fulham in their opening six matches.

“We are in a strong position, despite the fact we have lost two games,” said Wenger. “If you look at the away games we had, it was at places where other teams can drop points – Manchester, Everton and Fulham. We should have won the two games in Manchester but that made our resolve even stronger.

source: Telegraph

ANDREY ARSHAVIN says Arsenal’s new attacking formation is perfect for his style of play.

Arsene Wenger has switched his side to a 4-3-3 formation to accommodate the creative talents of Arshavin, Robin van Persie and Eduardo.

And the Russian, 28, admits he is relishing his new role in the Gunners’ front line.

Arshavin said: “Arsenal have changed their system this season and moved my position.

“I used to play on the left-hand side of a four-man midfield but we’ve gone to three in the middle and that has helped me become more of an attacking player.

“But we can always switch back to the old system if we have to because we have players who can be fluid and adaptable.

“We can move anywhere depending on the situation in front of us.

“If I see an opportunity I can exploit on the right-hand side of the pitch I’ll go over and take advantage of it.”
read the rest at the Sun

The 17-year-old has been promoted from the Under-20s by coach Stuart Pearce following an injury to Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba.

Wilshere has been tipped to have a chance of making the senior squad for the World Cup next year, with boss Fabio Capello looking to monitor his progress this season.

original source: eurosport

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has compared 17-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere with Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney.

Both players has hit the headlines at an early stage of their careers and Wilshere has now even been linked with England’s squad for the 2010 World Cup.

“What is good in his case is he reminds me a bit of Rooney when he started, in his belief and his positive attitude to go forwards,” said Wenger.

“For the rest, he has still a lot to learn, relations with other players team-wise, but there are some great basics there.”

He added: “As a manager you do not want a guy to be a star before he has delivered, and maybe here that is more difficult than anywhere else.”

source – skysports news

The Arsenal boss lodged a bid for the Bordeaux striker last week, which was ruled out by the French club who are holding out for around £15million.

However Wenger warned the French side that they are in serious danger of allowing their client to walk away for nothing, as come January 1st Chamakh will be free to talk to other clubs ahead of a Bosman move.

Arsene has suggested that his interest in the player is over for the time being and it seems he is prepared to play the waiting game if need be.

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Farhad Moshiri is a London-based investor with close links to billionaire Russian Oligarch Usmanov, who owns around a 25 per cent stake in the club.

Moshiri is ‘mystified’ as to why the Gunners board rejected a rights issue proposed and underwritten by Usmanov this summer which he intended to generate transfer cash for manager Arsene Wenger and also reduce the club’s long-term debt.

Read more: Daily Mail

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Chelsea’s left-back who sensationally swapped north London for west in 2006 is keen to jump back on the bad side of the Arsenal faithful after speaking his mind to the Daily Mail yesterday.

Cashley – as he is dubbed by gooners – still maintains ill feelings towards his old club whom he served since his teenage years.

source – Red London