Samba sinks Gunners

Christopher Samba
12 April 2012

An all-too-familiar weakness cost Arsenal as Blackburn came from behind to win 2-1 at Ewood Park.

Goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski's vulnerability in the air was exposed on a number of occasions before Rovers captain Chris Samba took advantage to head home a 69th-minute winner.

Robin van Persie's first goal since October 31, having been sidelined for five months with an ankle injury, had put the Gunners ahead early in the first half only for David Dunn to equalise from close range just before the interval.

There was an air of casualness about Arsenal as early as the third minute when forward Carlos Vela gave an indication of why this was his first Barclays Premier League start in a year and a day. Ryan Nelsen failed to cut out the through-ball meant for Theo Walcott but with goalkeeper Paul Robinson's indecision keeping him rooted to his line the England winger was able to collect and cross only for the Mexico international to sidefoot wide of an empty goal.

The visitors were ahead in the 14th minute when Bacary Sagna flicked on Samir Nasri's corner at the near post and Van Persie was on hand to head in his eighth goal in eight matches against Rovers - more than he has scored against any other Premier League club.

Another corner brought a goal three minutes before the interval and this time it was an equaliser for Rovers. Morten Gamst Pedersen's left-wing delivery dropped to Nelsen who rolled a pass to Keith Andrews on the right of the penalty area and his driven cross deflected off striker Jason Roberts to Dunn who tapped home at the far post.

Nine minutes after half-time Pedersen was felled by a clumsy challenge from Campbell as he tried to retrieve his initial shot that Fabianski had parried, but referee Martin Atkinson awarded only a corner.

On the hour substitute Junior Hoilett's first touch having replaced Grella saw him fire in a shot destined for the top corner which Fabianski palmed behind.

Wenger sent on Andrey Arshavin, making his first appearance since the end of March after a calf problem, for Vela but before the Russian had chance to get involved Blackburn took the lead.

Another Pedersen corner was drilled into the six-yard area and Fabianski came but failed to connect, allowing Samba to head in from three yards.

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