A match that has significance at both ends of the table is Saturday evening's offering, as Arsenal host struggling Blackburn Rovers.
Traditionally, the game has highlighted a difference in styles, with the hardworking, aerial presence of Rovers causing the one-touch passing game of Arsenal problems. Indeed, despite the sacking of Sam Allardyce and appointment of a man with no experience of a top job - Steve Kean - there is no suggestion that the game will offer anything different. Blackburn, now more than ever, need to bully Arsenal.
With new Indian owners Venky's watching on, the club's results have gone into freefall. January 23 saw them placed seventh in the table and nine points away from the relegation zone, but now they find themselves deep in trouble having taken just two points from their six matches since. Now only a point away from the drop, Rovers face Arsenal as well as both Manchester clubs in their remaining eight games and their hopes of landing striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the summer will be rendered non-existent if they are unable to keep themselves afloat.
Blackburn travel to the Emirates on the back of six away defeats, but Arsenal have looked decidedly shaky of late as well. A nightmare month for Arsene Wenger's men has seen them exit all three cup competitions and only draw their last two league fixtures to leave them five points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.
The possible return of injured skipper Cesc Fabregas would be a boost, as the Gunners have struggled to assert themselves over teams they really should have beaten. Wenger will also be glad that Robin van Persie's injury suffered on international duty for Netherlands appears unlikely keep him out of the game, as the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky have been struggling for form and the Dutchman has ten goals in ten games against Blackburn.
After seeing his side battle to a 2-1 win at Ewood Park earlier this season, Wenger maintained that "we knew they would play the kind of game we don't like". More of the same is to be expected and it will be another test of Arsenal's mental resolve at a difficult time.
Arsenal player to watch: Jens Lehmann
The German goalkeeper came out of retirement last week at the age of 41 to help out his old club in the midst of a goalkeeping crisis. An error-prone debut for the reserves against Wigan means he will most likely take his place on the bench behind Manuel Almunia, but whether it is getting into a fight with Didier Drogba, or urinating against an advertising board midway through a game, there is rarely a dull moment with him around. Almunia is under the spotlight after his mistake at West Brom and the cameras will surely be trained on his rival should he err again.
Blackburn player to watch: Phil Jones
The teenage Blackburn defender, out since December with a knee injury, looks set to be recalled to the side and will save the Arsenal scouts a trip to watch him. Jones has been attracting the attention of Gunners with his commanding performances at centre-back and central midfield since his breakthrough. Strong, committed and with a cool head on his young shoulders, his peformances earlier this season led many pundits to suggest he is not far from England recognition. A good game against one of the league's best teams would do much to boost these claims.
Key Battle: Gael Clichy v Michel Salgado
The modern role of the full-back is due, in part, to the performances of Salgado and his team-mate Roberto Carlos at Real Madrid. The flying full-back has become a staple part of a football side and, although he has lost the pace and drive that once made him so successful, Salgado is still putting in a shift for Blackburn at the age of 35. Using his nous and positional sense more now with his ageing legs, the right-back has a player, in Clichy, who has followed his example on the other side of the pitch. When he first joined Arsenal, the Frenchman was deployed as a winger, but with the departure of Ashley Cole he has filled the gap perfectly and now his trademark forays up the pitch help the Gunners attack. An intriguing battle between young and old will certainly occupy one side of the pitch.
Source: Jon Carter, ESPN Soccernet on 1 Apr 11
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