Alan Hansens Premier League Preview: Blackburn v Arsenal

Arsenal took Blackpool apart last Saturday at the Emirates Stadium but they face a real test of their title credentials at Ewood Park this weekend. The Seasiders were ruthlessly dismantled at times but Arsene Wengers team will find that Blackburn are a far more organised team on their own patch. Sam Allardyce has built a strong efficient side that possesses a strong record at home, so the Gunners are going to have to show they can compete physically if they are going to get anything from their trip.Blackburn really should have at least got a point at St Andrews last weekend to build on a great opening day win over Everton. However, they slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat after missing a host of chances and will be determined to get back to winning ways. Rovers away form was a problem for them last season but at Ewood Park they proved more than a match for the majority of sides. Only Tottenham, Everton and Manchester City were able to win there last season while Chelsea and Manchester United earned draws. Arsenal were beaten 2-1 back in May despite leading, so they will know what they will be up against.If the Gunners are given the time and space to play they will beat most teams but you can be assured that Big Sam will have his team fired up to press Arsenal all over the park and to keep them hemmed in at the back. Arsenes side are great to watch and play superb attacking football but season after season they are exposed when it comes to the ugly side of the game. Teams like Bolton, Stoke and Blackburn will look to expose the Gunners lack of physicality and as long as its within the rules of the game, then they are right to do so. Rovers will play to their strengths which means set-pieces will be all-important in this clash.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOWArsenal had veterans Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre at the heart of their defence in this fixture last season but this time Thomas Vermaelen will add an aerial presence as will new signing Laurent Koscielny. However, this will be a real test for the new Frenchman as Rovers will look to exploit their aerial power at every opportunity. Defensively, the Gunners will need to show great bravery and resilience, so we should have more of an idea of how their defence will cope this season after this match. Will he fancy it when big Christopher Samba is attacking the ball? We will soon find out. Rovers are not just a physical team by any means and their Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic will be a handful for the North Londoners defence. He has improved drastically and is starting to look a very good signing.This should be an intriguing game between two teams with very contrasting styles. I am going to back the draw on Premier 10 as I am still not convinced over Arsenals ability to compete with physically competitive teams on their travels. After all, theyve not won any of their last six away matches in all competitions (4 defeats) and may struggle against a Rovers team that rarely loses at Ewood Park. With an estimated30,000 Premier 10 jackpot up for grabs who will you back?Each week, Hansen will select a Pools game of his choice and hell make his predictions. If you think hes wrong or you can do better than him, just click this link to play that game as normal.Youll be entered into the normal prize pool for that game, and well also automatically enter you into our FREE bonus game, Challenge Hansen! , for a chance to win a bonus prize!If you get more predictions correct than Hansen, youll be a winner!
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