Lehmann Gifts Blackburn a Deserved Point

By Joel Martin

The never-ending head-case that is Jens Lehmann showed up yet again today.

A week ago, against Fulham, Lehmann badly miskicked a backpass and set up a goal for David Healy in the first minute of the game. On Sunday, at Ewood Park, Lehmann had seemed to put his mental problems behind him, only to concede a late equalizer to David Dunn off his own hands. It was an absolute howler. But Arsenal had not played well enough to win.

The first half was fairly even, and Arsenal scored a scrappy goal, the kind of goal you need to score on the road against Blackburn, when Eduardo chased down a Walcott header and pressured Freidel, who in turn fumbled the save and the ball somehow found Van Persie, who proceeded to finish it well. Eduardo’s contribution to the goal was the only thing he did all game. Eduardo was neutralized well by Blackburn’s physicality, and although a Premiership debut at Ewood Park is hardly an easy task, I expected him to show a little more purpose going forward.

The referee had completely lost control of the game. Fabregas was fouled nearly every time he touched the ball by Savage and Dunn. Pedersen stepped on his head. Nelsen bowled him over. He was rattled by Blackburn’s sometimes-dirty play, and he wasn’t the only one. Walcott looked magnificent in the first minute, taking players on and finding Eduardo with a nice through-ball, but after that he was hacked by Warnock right outside the box, didn’t get the call, and the youngster looked out of it for the rest of the game. Hleb was pushed around by Emerton and Bentley. He added nothing, and it is becoming more and more apparent that he should not play on the road against the more physical sides like Blackburn or Bolton.

With so many of Arsenal’s players in a state of shellshock, Blackburn looked to capitalize in the second half. Mark Derbyshire should have scored on a brilliant cross from Bentley; if Santa Cruz had been on the end of the cross, Rovers would have equalized earlier. David Dunn played a lucky one-two past Fabregas and fired a hard shot directly at Lehmann, who tried to parry it with his fists but didn’t get enough on it and the ball went in off the post.

In all, Arsenal did not play well enough to win the game, and Blackburn might have been the better side, but the result is still a sour one for the Gunners to take, as Blackburn’s goal should have been saved easily. A draw at Blackburn is not a bad result, however, and Wenger’s squad will need to put there disappointment behind them quickly, as they host league-leaders Manchester City next week.

Match Ratings

Lehmann – 3 - Looked good until his colossal mistake, but goalkeepers cannot afford to make any mistakes. It might be time to bench him so he can get his head straight, his mistakes are getting ridiculous.

Clichy – 5 – Unimpressive, given his recent form. Bentley actually got the better of him, and he did not put enough pressure on Bentley to track back and defend.

Gallas – 6 - Played well and kept Arsenal composed during the first half. Hopefully his injury is not too serious, as center-back is one of Arsenal’s weaker positions now that Djourou has been loaned to Birmingham.

Toure- 7 – Had a good, strong game. Great performance by the Ivorian.

Sagna – 7 – Looks more and more like a steal at 7 million. Very impressive start of the season by the new signing from Auxerre.

Hleb - 5 – Completely disappeared on the left. Arsenal needed a big game from him with Rosicky and Eboue out, and he failed to deliver.

Flamini – 6 – Showed good spirit and work rate, but he is a limited player. Wenger surely missed Gilberto, who would have added steel and composure to his lackluster midfield.

Fabregas – 5 – His slow start continues. Rattled by a few dirty tackles, Fabregas never really got in to the game. He is a terrible set-piece taker as well, and should give way to Van Persie whenever he can. Arsenal need him to step it up next weekend against the league leaders.

Walcott – 5 – He just is not strong enough to play against Blackburn on the road. It’s too bad Eboue was injured, as he would have been a bit more strong and fierce, and it’s unfortunate Walcott had to play out of necessity.

Eduardo – 5 – Not a good debut for Wenger’s new striker but it was a hard place to get his Arsenal career rolling. He did look eager to score, though, and his efforts led to Arsenal’s only goal.

Van Persie – 6 – Scored the goal and did not get rattled by a dirty tackle like he used to (Remember the game at Sheffield United last year?). Looked good taking set pieces but also never really got involved in the attack, although it really wasn’t his fault—Fabregas and Hleb never hung on to the ball long enough for RvP to hook up with either of them.

SUBS

Senderos – 6 – Didn’t look spectacular, but he made few major mistakes, which is all you can ask from big Phil right now.

Denilson – 4 – Came on for Eduardo and did absolutely nothing. A complete waste of a substitute. It’s too bad Diaby wasn’t healthy to play instead.

Bendtner – 6 – It may have been because Blackburn had just scored, but Arsenal looked much more dangerous as soon as Bendtner came on for the second straight game. He wins almost every header (he was the only Arsenal player to win a header against the gigantic Samba) and links up well. I hope he continues to see first team action even when Adebayor returns because I think he has looked very good off the bench both times this season.