Arshavin 51

Arsenal withstood Blackburn Rovers’ first-half aerial bombardment to come away from Ewood Park with three hard-earned points.

Even for a Rovers’ side renowned for direct football there was a heavy reliance on the long ball. And they created plenty of chances.

But Arsenal made them pay for their wastefulness, and could have won by a greater margin as they dominated the later stages.

Ryan Nelsen’s early header for Rovers was cleared off the line by Cesc Fabregas of all people – an indication of the pressure the Gunners were under.

And Christopher Samba’s header was pawed away by Manuel Almunia moments later, the Arsenal custodian banging his head against the post.

But Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a 20^th minute lead when he latched onto Robin Van Persie’s through-ball and fired a low right-foot shot across Rovers’ keeper Paul Robinson into the far corner.

Rovers were level seven minutes later, Mame Diouf finishing from six yards after an excellent run and cross from namesake El-Hadji Diouf.

The Gunners were ahead again on 51 minutes; Andrei Arshavin’s right-foot drive beating Robinson after Fabregas’s shot was deflected into his path by Walcott.

And Robinson denied Jack Wilshere in stoppage time as Arsenal finished strongly.