Blackburn Rovers vs Arsenal Highlights: EPL Highlights

Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin ensured Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over battling Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Walcott fired a stunning 19th minute opener as the Gunners worked hard for the points. He was sent scampering clear down the right flank by a fine ball from Robin van Persie before cutting inside and ramming a low shot past Paul Robinson. El-Hadji Diouf mounted a swift counter attack where he cut inside the hapless Laurent Koscielny and squared for Mame Diouf to sweep home the equaliser.

Rovers Lived up to to Wenger’s Pre-match remarks and made life hard for Arsene Wenger’s men before Arshavin won it for the visitors in the 51st minute.

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Liverpool vs Arsenal Highlights: EPL Highlights

Jose Reina’s gifted a howler, which enabled Arsenal to snatch a draw from a thrilling Premier League opener at 10-man Liverpool.

The Liverpool goalkeeper failed to control the rebound after Marouane Chamakh had hit the post in the final minute at Anfield to cancel out a David Ngog strike.

The goal was reward for a late spell of Arsenal pressure but it was unfortunate for Liverpool, who had survived most of the second half unscathed after the sending off of Joe Cole.

The big name summer signing from Chelsea was dismissed on his league debut for a reckless challenge on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

Koscielny himself also received a red card, but not until moments before the final whistle when he earned a harsh second booking for handball.

The equaliser denied Liverpool what would have been only their fourth victory over the Gunners in their last 19 league meetings. It remains to be seen how much the new wave of optimism which has swept into the club since Roy Hodgson was appointed as manager has been punctured due to this result.

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Arsenal vs Barcelona Highlights: Champions League(31.03.2010)

Cesc Fabregas kept Arsenal’s European dream alive after the Gunners came back from 2-0 down to draw the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at Emirates Stadium.

The Spaniards had lived up to their billing as favourites following a blistering start and a second-half double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who looked to have all but killed off the tie.

However, Theo Walcott came off the bench to pull a goal back before Fabregas who will miss the second leg at his old club after being booked smashed in a late penalty after Carles Puyol was sent off for fouling the midfielder in the box.

While Barcelona will still be favourites to progress, Arsene Wenger’s young side again showed great character and yet have a slim chance to prove their doubters wrong with a similarly courageous display in the Nou Camp.

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Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league Preview Video

Arsenal will wait until the last possible moment to asses the fitness of their skipper Fabregas for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final showdown with holders Barcelona.

Fabregas suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday which has kept him out of training and manager Arsene Wenger is due to wait until Wednesday night’s warm-up, before making a decision. The Spain international’s expected fitness test in front of the early arrivals at Emirates Stadium will serve as an intriguing prelude to what promises to be an exciting contest between two exponents of the beautiful game.

Fabregas moved to the North London club from the Catalan giants as a teenager, blossoming into an outstanding talent under Wenger’s wings and has frequently been linked with a return to Camp Nou, although the midfielder denies any such thing.

The last-eight clash is a repeat of the 2006 epic final, when the Spanish side came back from a goal down with two late strikes to triumph over the 10-man Gunners, who had goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off when the scores were locked at 0-0.

Gunners legend Thierry Henry missed several chances to steal an improbable victory for Wenger’s men in that match after Sol Campbell had headed them in front, and, having moved to Barca just over 12 months later, has confessed he did not want to face Arsenal at this stage of the competition.

Apart from the uncertainty in Fabregas fitness and record Arsenal goalscorer Henry’s return to Emirates, there is the small matter of how the Gunners will cope with the supreme talents of the World player of the year Lionel Messi.

Messi is enjoying another sensational season under Pep Guardiola as Barca look to defend the trophy they lifted with victory over Manchester United in Rome in May, in which the diminutive genius headed home his side’s second goal.

Arsenal will be happy to welcome centre-back William Gallas’ return to training after eight games on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The France international has been named in the squad and could partner Thomas Vermaelen if Wenger elects to take veteran Campbell out of the firing line.

Barcelona have their own injury worries with the influential Andres Iniesta ruled out after suffering a thigh injury in the Liga victory over Real Mallorca at the weekend.

However, Guardiola has Eric Abidal available for the first time since early February following his groin problem and Gerard Pique is due to return after missing the last few games with a knee injury.

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