LIVE MATCH CENTRE
16 February, 2013
| Arsenal |
FT
01
|
Blackburn Rovers |
0 - 1
Colin Kazim-Richards 72'
HT:
0 - 0
Emirates Stadium (Attendance: 60,070)
Arsenal
Wojciech Szczesny
1
Francis Coquelin
22
Laurent Koscielny
6
Thomas Vermaelen
5
Nacho Monreal
17
Mikel Arteta
8
Tomas Rosicky
7
Abou Diaby
2
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
15
Olivier Giroud
12
Gervinho
27
Substitutes
Jack Wilshere
10
Santi Cazorla
19
Theo Walcott
14
Lukas Podolski
9
Bacary Sagna
3
Vito Mannone
24
Aaron Ramsey
16
Blackburn Rovers
34
Jake Kean
2
Bradley Orr
16
Scott Dann
31
Grant Hanley
3
Martin Olsson
17
Lee Williamson
6
Jason Lowe
12
Morten Gamst Pedersen
39
Colin Kazim-Richards
14
Marcus Olsson
11
Jordan Rhodes
Substitutes
25
David Goodwillie
35
David Bentley
5
Gael Givet
21
Nuno Gomes
23
Karim Rekik
30
Sebastian Usai
7
Fabio Nunes
Referee: Mike Dean
90'
Game Over
Arsenal 0-1 Blackburn Rovers
90'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
90'
Shot
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
90'
Shot on Target
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
90'
Shot on Target
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
90'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
90'
Shot on Target
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
90'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
90'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
90'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
90'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
89'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers)
89'
Foul
Francis Coquelin fouled by David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers)
88'
Shot on Target
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
88'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
88'
Shot on Target
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
88'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
87'
Foul
David Goodwillie fouled by Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
87'
Shot on Target
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
87'
Shot on Target
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
84'
Foul
Thomas Vermaelen fouled by David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers)
84'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
84'
Shot
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
84'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
83'
Cross
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
83'
Substitution
David Goodwillie on for Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)
82'
Offsides
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
82'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
81'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
81'
Shot
Santi Cazorla (Arsenal)
80'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
80'
Foul
Morten Gamst Pedersen fouled by Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
80'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
78'
Cross
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
76'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
75'
Foul
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
75'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
75'
Free Kick
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
75'
Foul
Theo Walcott fouled by Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
74'
Shot
Colin Kazim-Richards (Blackburn Rovers)
74'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
74'
Shot
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
74'
Corner Kick
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
73'
Cross
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
72'
Goal
Colin Kazim-Richards (Blackburn Rovers)
72'
Shot on Target
Colin Kazim-Richards (Blackburn Rovers)
72'
Shot on Target
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
71'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
71'
Substitution
Santi Cazorla on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
71'
Substitution
Theo Walcott on for Gervinho (Arsenal)
71'
Substitution
Jack Wilshere on for Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
70'
Cross
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
69'
Shot on Target
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
69'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
68'
Cross
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
67'
Shot
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
66'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
66'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
65'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
65'
Shot
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
64'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
64'
Substitution
David Bentley on for Marcus Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
60'
Shot
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
60'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
59'
Shot
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
59'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
58'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
57'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
56'
Shot
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
55'
Foul
Jordan Rhodes fouled by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
54'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
53'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
52'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
52'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
51'
Foul
Scott Dann fouled by Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
50'
Corner Kick
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
50'
Cross
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
49'
Offsides
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
48'
Shot on Target
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
48'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
47'
Shot on Target
Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers)
47'
Corner Kick
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
47'
Cross
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
46'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
46'
Cross
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
45'
Shot on Target
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
45'
Free Kick
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
45'
Foul
Olivier Giroud fouled by Jason Lowe (Blackburn Rovers)
44'
Cross
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)
44'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
43'
Shot
Gervinho (Arsenal)
42'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
42'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
41'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
41'
Shot
Gervinho (Arsenal)
40'
Cross
Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal)
39'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
38'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
38'
Throw-In
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
37'
Cross
Gervinho (Arsenal)
37'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
36'
Shot
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
35'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
34'
Cross
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
32'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
32'
Throw-In
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
31'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
29'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
29'
Shot on Target
Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
29'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
28'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
27'
Shot
Scott Dann (Blackburn Rovers)
27'
Cross
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
27'
Free Kick
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
27'
Foul
Grant Hanley fouled by Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
26'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
25'
Cross
Gervinho (Arsenal)
25'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
25'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
24'
Shot on Target
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
24'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
24'
Cross
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
23'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
23'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
23'
Cross
Gervinho (Arsenal)
22'
Cross
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
22'
Shot
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
22'
Foul
Francis Coquelin fouled by Colin Kazim-Richards (Blackburn Rovers)
21'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
20'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
20'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
20'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
19'
Throw-In
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
19'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
18'
Foul
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
17'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
17'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
17'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
17'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
16'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
14'
Foul
Abou Diaby fouled by Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)
14'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
14'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
13'
Corner Kick
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
13'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
13'
Corner Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
12'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
12'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
11'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
10'
Foul
Gervinho fouled by Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
9'
Shot
Abou Diaby (Arsenal)
9'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
9'
Free Kick
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
9'
Cross
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
9'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
8'
Foul
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
8'
Throw-In
Bradley Orr (Blackburn Rovers)
7'
Throw-In
Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
7'
Cross
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
6'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
5'
Cross
Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
5'
Throw-In
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
4'
Goal Kick
Jake Kean (Blackburn Rovers)
3'
Throw-In
Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)
3'
Goal Kick
Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal)
2'
Shot
Marcus Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
2'
Cross
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
2'
Free Kick
Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers)
2'
Foul
Martin Olsson fouled by Francis Coquelin (Arsenal)
1'
Offsides
Marcus Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
1'
Throw-In
Martin Olsson (Blackburn Rovers)
1'
Start Half

How Arsenal didn't score in that game, I'll never know. They dominated for 90 minutes, creating countless chances, corners, the lot. Jake Kean and co managed to keep the clean sheet, though, and all it took was one counter-attack, topped of by Arsenal fan, Colin Kazim-Richards to cost the hosts a chance of silverware.
That's it! Blackburn Rovers hang on to snatch the unlikeliest of results. It has finished Arsenal 0 - Blackburn Rovers 1.
Arsenal bombard the Blackburn Rovers area from both sides, but the visitors somehow scramble clear, risking life and limb. Scott Dann blocks a shot with his face, before Mikel Arteta strikes into the side-netting. That might just be all she wrote.
Nacho Monreal makes a good run but instead Mikel Arteta picks out Arsene Wenger on the touchline. The boss isn't impressed with the Spaniard's sloppiness, and he slumps in his seat.
Jack Wilshere receives the ball a little fortuitously, and he makes the most of the chance, finding Theo Walcott at the back post. The rapid winger makes good contact but heads straight at Jake Kean. Another chance wasted, and they might not get many more of that calibre.
There's less than five minutes of normal time to play and it's evident that Arsenal are panicking. They lack composure in the final third, but Abou Diaby threatens with a thunderbolt from outside the area. Jake Kean makes the save.
The Blackburn Rovers penalty area is totally congested, which makes it so difficult for Arsenal to get a shot away. A decision goes against Arsenal now; Theo Walcott is brought down in the area but a wrongly-awarded offside flag comes to the visitors' rescue.
Nacho Monreal bursts into the penalty area unchallenged, but instead of crossing the ball, he shoots, skewing his effort well wide.
Arsenal have really come to life as they stare fifth-round defeat in the face. The FA Cup is their best chance of a long-awaited trophy this season, but they don't really want a replay. They need to score soon!
Well, those big names didn't help, did they? Immediately Blackburn Rovers break the deadlock. Martin Olsson tested the keeper and Szczesny failed, parrying the ball straight to COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS, who makes no mistake with the rebound.
One chance, one goal! Blackburn Rovers take the lead out of nowhere! It's Colin Kazim-Richards.
Arsene Wenger shakes things up dramatically with a triple change. Gervinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and (surprisingly) Tomas Rosicky leave the field, with a trio of big names entering the fray - Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.
Credit to the Blackburn defence, but the languid style of Gervinho didn't help the Gunners there. The live wire, Tomas Rosicky managed to thread the ball through to Gervinho, but the frontman took too long and a Blackburn Rovers defender recovered superbly to quell the danger.
Ooh, that deserved a goal! Tomas Rosicky drifts inside and unleashes a sweetly-struck belter that looked destined for the goal. The crossbar comes to Blackburn's rescue, though.
Here's the first change of the game, and it's a former Arsenal man coming on for the visitors. David Bentley is greeted with hostile boos (probably because of his time at Spurs), as he comes on to replace Marcus Olsson.
Arsenal are struggling for new ideas at the moment; in fact, Blackburn have been venturing into the Gunners' half a little more in these past few minutes. A replay would be a disaster for Arsenal, so it might be time to throw on those big names to get the job done soon.
Arsene Wenger has changed things around abit here, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moving over the the left wing and Gervinho to the right. Both players seem to cut inside on their preferred foot, so I'm not too sure what they have been asked to do now.
Abou Diaby takes matters into his own hands, trying to catch the keeper off-guard from 35 yards. He gets a massive cheer from the crowd, even though his effort went more than comfortably wide.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain creates some space on the right, and his cross is met by Olivier Giroud. The ball had gone out, though and the ref halts play. Jake Kean makes the save from Giroud's effort anyway.
There's an aerial threat at the other end but Jake Kean is equal to Olivier Giroud's header.
Blackburn Rovers have started the second half brightly. Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross was deflected behind by Thomas Vermaelen, whose outstrectched leg could have diverted the ball anywhere. The resulting corner provides the visitors with their first clear-cut chance, but Jason Lowe's header is too tame.
The second half has begun, with both sides unchanged at the break. Santi Cazorla was going through a rigorous warm-up during the interval, though, so Arsene Wenger may have to delve into the big boys to get this game won.
It's as one-sided a half as you're likely to see, with Blackburn Rovers barely encroaching into the Arsenal half. Despite the domination, the hosts haven't troubled Jake Kean too much, other than those chances from Diaby and Vermaelen, both from corners. Gervinho also had a golden opportunity through on goal, but dragged the shot wide.
Mikel Arteta's free kick is well-struck, beating the wall. It's straight at the keeper, who has no problems dealing with it, other than stinging hands, that is. That's the last action of the half - it's goalless at the break.
Ooh, that's the best chance of the game for Arsenal, and it really should be 1-0. The possession finally comes to something worthy of note, as Tomas Rosicky works the ball through to Gervinho, who is one-on-one with the keeper but drags his shot wide. He falls to the ground with his head in his hands, and Rosicky runs over to console him.
Blackburn Rovers put together a rare attack, with Olsson crossing and Olsson heading it across goal, with nobody in attendance. Don't worry, there's no witchcraft going on here, it's Martin and Marcus, the twins. It is pretty confusing to watch, though.
Nacho Monreal goes for glory, and his long-range effort isn't too bad, actually. It takes a slight deflection and travels over the bar, but the corner doesn't produce a chance this time.
It's still all Arsenal at the Emirates, with Blackburn Rovers chasing shadows at the moment. They are moving the ball from side to side very well, but the final delivery is lacking so far. In fact, Olivier Giroud has barely seen the ball in this first half.
Arsenal's frequent corners are causing problems now, with Jake Kean coming to the rescue once again for Blackburn. This time he flaps Thomas Vermaelen's powerful header away.
Something tells me that Blackburn Rovers are going to have to make the most of these half-chances if they are to take anything from this game. Morten Gamst Pedersen drifts a cross in, and Scott Dann has a chance to test Wojciech Szczesny with a close-range header. I'm guessing he expected Diaby to clear it, as he looked surprised when the ball came to him, and consequently misses the target.
There's a goal coming soon, surely! Arsenal are really turning the screw now. Gervinho found a way through, but his squared ball wasn't met. The deliveries are looking better now, and we've just seen the best chance of the game. It came from another corner; Tomas Rosicky took it and Abou Diaby headed the ball brilliantly, only to see his bullet header stopped by a superb save from Jake Kean.
There's no question of his potential quality, or even his current ability, but you do have to ask questions of his decision making and reading of the game. He's a bit like Walcott was in his younger days in that respect. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has certainly got the skills, but just seems to dilly-dally on the ball a bit, failing to spot the correct move.
The Gunners have settled and are now showing the full extend of their quality, earning corners aplenty in the process. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's deliveries have lacked potency and brought about little danger so far, but are suddenly looking a lot more menacing.
Gervinho finds himself in a promising position following a good display of pace. He dithers on the ball for way too long, though, and Morten Gamst Pedersen comes out of nowhere to poke the ball away.
Gervinho plays an overlapping ball to Tomas Rosicky, who has looked the most dangerous player for Arsenal so far. The ball in is good and stopped only by Scott Dann, who slides in to deflect it behind. There's a question of handball but in truth the appeals were half-hearted. A corner is given instead, but it comes to nothing.
Bradley Orr becomes the first man to go into the book.
Arsenal earn a semi-dubious free kick from a handball, and Tomas Rosicky's delivery is dangerous towards the near post. Abou Diaby tries to glance a header towards goal, but fails to trouble the keeper.
There's been some decent play in the middle of the park, with Tomas Rosicky and Morten Gamst Pedersen orchestrating the play for their respective sides. The forwards - Colin Kazim-Richards and Olivier Giroud - have been relatively quiet, though.
There's a good pace to this game already, with Arsenal manufacturing an attack of their own now. It's Tomas Rosicky directing the move, finding Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in space on the right. The England youngster can't quite find the final ball, though.
Francis Coquelin concedes a free kick for a rash challenge on Jordan Rhodes. The resulting set piece is excellently delivered by Morten Gamst Pedersen. It beats everyone, swinging in towards the back post, begging for the slightest touch. Nobody can get that decisive contact with the ball though, and it goes behind.
Mike Dean gets this fifth round tie underway.
A few familiar faces will be returning to Premier League turf, including Morten Gamst Pedersen and Scott Dann. Colin Kazim-Richards will be providing the attacking threat with Jordan Rhodes, while loanee Karim Rekik only makes the bench.
Arsene Wenger opts for a pretty strong side, with captain Thomas Vermaelen back in the heart of defence, accompanied by Laurent Koscielny, who was also doubtful before this game. Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski are rested (starting on the bench), with Gervinho Gervinho, Tomas Rosicky, Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain coming in to the side.
Thomas Vermaelen could be included in the squad after recovering from an ankle problem. Jack Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny are both still doubtful. The visitors' squad is relatively injury free, with Karim Rekik – on loan from Man City – a potential starter.
This is the eighth FA Cup meeting between the two sides; Arsenal are leading 4-3 head-to-head, although Blackburn are playing well in this campaign and are yet to concede an FA Cup goal this term.
Today's game sees the most successful club in FA Cup history, Arsenal, take on former Premier League side, Blackburn Rovers, who are looking for their most fruitful FA Cup run since reaching the semis back in 2007 with a win over the Gunners today.