Barclays Premier League

Rovers set sights on unlikely double

Back in September, Blackburn caused one of the biggest upsets of the season as they beat Arsenal 4-3 in a thrilling contest at Ewood Park - a double from Yakubu and a brace of own goals securing Rovers' only win of their opening 13 games of the campaign.

It was a rare highlight in what has been a miserable season for the Lancashire club and their embattled boss Steve Kean, who, in Saturday's opposing manager Arsene Wenger, at least has someone to offer empathy; the Frenchman was also a victim of the boo boys, who have plagued Kean for months, during the Gunners' last Premier League outing against Manchester United.

That match saw Arsenal suffer their third straight league loss and while a draw at Bolton on Wednesday night arrested what could have been their worse slide since the mid-90s, it was hardly a result that could be celebrated as Wenger's side slumped to seventh position in the table, 12 points behind North London rivals Tottenham. Rovers, meanwhile, were punished for their profligacy against Newcastle in midweek, losing 2-0 at home despite having 25 shots on goal.

The absence of Yakubu - serving the final game of his three-match ban - represents a major blow this weekend for Blackburn, who will rely on new signing Anthony Modeste to lead their line again. Elsewhere, Chris Samba shows no signs of returning to the first-team fold any time soon, despite the transfer window not yielding the move away from Ewood that he so desperately craved. The Gunners can at least bask in having a fit specialist full-back for the second game in succession as Bacary Sagna continues his comeback, though the news that Jack Wilshere will probably miss the rest of the season with a new stress fracture left a sour taste in the mouths of the Arsenal faithful.

Wenger and his players will nonetheless recognise that Saturday's meeting represents a potential Premier League gift, with Kean's relegation-threatened charges in possession of the top-flight's second worst defensive record at present. That a pair of 6-2 demolitions are among the past five meetings at Emirates Stadium is a further boost, with last season's 0-0 draw seemingly an anomaly in a series of convincing league victories running back to Rovers' 2-1 triumph at Highbury in 2002.

Arsenal player to watch: Aaron Ramsey. This season has been a mixed bag for Ramsey; the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri facilitated his promotion to Gunners regular - only Robin van Persie has featured in more games in 2011-12 - but the Welshman has failed to make as notable a contribution as his former team-mates, scoring just one league goal and providing four assists. Ramsey will likely be afforded plenty of time on the ball against Rovers, giving him the opportunity to show that he can make a decisive impact in the final third.

Blackburn Rovers player to watch: Anthony Modeste. With David Goodwillie previously the only 'established' back-up to leading marksman Yakubu, Blackburn's need to enhance their striking options in January led them to Bordeaux's Modeste. The 23-year-old's speed should make him the perfect foil for the raw power of Yakubu for the rest of the season, though he will likely be asked to lead the line alone in the suspended Nigerian's absence at the Emirates. Modeste, who is also strong and confident in the air, won a penalty against Newcastle in an otherwise frustrating evening, showing glimpses that he could be a dynamic addition for Rovers.

Key Battle: Robin van Persie v Gael Givet. Arsenal's talisman and captain may not have scored at Bolton in midweek but he put in another classy performance in a game that saw him thwarted on a number of occasions by the Trotters' stubborn defence. The Dutchman has scored ten goals in 12 previous appearances against Rovers and will fancy his chances of adding to that total against a defence patrolled by Scott Dann and Frenchman Gael Givet, who has slipped back into the team recently. 2011 ended badly for Givet, who was found guilty of drink driving in November and required heart surgery after a scare in December, and the former France international will be determined to continue his rehabilitation with a strong showing against the Gunners. However, that Givet has only tasted a single clean sheet in his past 29 games does not appear to bode well for Rovers.

Trivia: Paul Robinson has conceded 53 league goals against Arsenal, more than any other goalkeeper has shipped against any opposition in the Premier League era.

Stats: Blackburn's last clean sheet away from the home in the Premier League was against Arsenal, 14 matches and nine months ago in last April's 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium.

Odds: Arsenal (1.30), Blackburn (10.00) and the draw (5.50) are on offer with bet365, while Anthony Modeste to open the scoring look a good outside bet at 15.00.

Prediction: A meeting with one of the division's most porous defences should inspire Arsenal to stop the rot and get their league campaign back on track.

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