Blackburn 0 Arsenal 4: Match Report & Player Ratings

With most of the Arsenal squad away on international duty throughout the week, on paper a visit to Blackburn looked like a banana skin greased in vaseline, however, it was Blackburn who appeared the more dysfunctional of the two teams, succumbing meekly to Arsenal's precise passing game.

Arsenal took the lead as early as the eighth minute, when Walcott - still on a visible high after his midweek hattrick for England - cut inside from his left-wing berth, beat two players and slipped a gorgeous pass into Van Persie's feet. The Dutchman's first touch was exquisite and second lethal as he bent the ball around Paul Robinson into the Blackburn goal.

Blackburn could have equalised 7 minutes later, when Santa Cruz latched onto a Brett Emerton cross but failed to test Manuel Almunia. However, although Blackburn were struggling to create clear cut chances, crosses and long balls into the area were still providing Arsenal with the same old problems. It was the usual clumsiness at the back from Gallas/Toure and, at times, Clichy, creating numerous problems for themselves from what should have been, for a well-organised side, simple clearances.

Meanwhile, Adebayor was once again struggling with the concept of the offside rule. Despite on most occasions looking straight across the defensive line, the forward just couldn't help himself going early time and time again. Either the boy is thick as a plank or Arsenal's tactical training regime is having little effect.

However, we all know that Adebayor is nothing if not persistent; in first-half stoppage time he lost his marker, or rather they lost him, and nodded in a cross from Denilson to put Arsenal 2-0 up and effectively settle the match.

The second half was a stroll for Arsenal who never needed to move up out of second gear. Their slick passing game weaved patterns around Blackburn's mechanical midfield all afternoon. This was not the industrious, workaholic side we're used to seeing under former manager Mark Hughes; surprisingly, considering his character, Paul Ince seems unable to inject the same sort of passion that had previously seen Blackburn undefeated at home in the Premiership since December 2007.

Arsenal created plenty of chances in the second half. On 55, Toure got his leg onto an incoming Van Persie corner but the ball somehow rebounded off the witless Robinson's arm and up over the bar. The Blackburn keeper did, however, make a stunning save from an excellent Eboue strike moments later. Despite being dumped out on the left wing to make way for Alexander Song, the Ivorian was having a purple patch, and on 79 promptly dived in the box to win Arsenal a penalty. There seemed to be no discernible contact from Warnock, although Eboue somehow contrived to injure himself in the process of falling over the Blackburn defender's outstretched leg. Adebayor slotted home a weak penalty that Robinson would have saved if he hadn't used the wrong arm.

In second half injury time, Blackburn fell asleep as an Aaron Ramsey through ball found Adebayor in the box. He danced round Robinson, tapped the ball home, and promptly celebrated the unlikeliest of hattricks in front of the Arsenal away support.

Blackburn's most accurate second-half effort was a low drive from Benni McCarthy in the last 5 minutes that Almunia saved with aplomb.

It was hard to know what to make of this Arsenal victory, on paper it looks an excellent result, and Arsenal did play well, but their precarious defending again left a lot to be desired - even if they did not concede. Arsenal will pick up points from teams that underperform like Blackburn all season long, which is why finishing in the top four is yet again unlikely to be a problem this season for the Gunners. However, one gets the feeling that against the big clubs in the crunch games, Arsenal will fold unless there is serious defensive improvement.

We shall no doubt await Mikael Silvestre's contribution, and meanwhile bask in the glory of this thumping victory.

Almunia (6)
Made an excellent second half stop from McCarthy, but rushed out of his box like a maniac at one point reminding you that a costly Almunia cock-up is always on the backburner.
Sagna (7)
Looked strong in the tackle as usual and bailed out Toure and Gallas a couple of times with some important defensive clearances.
Toure (6)
Was unfortunate not to score from a corner, but his defending was a mixed bag.
Gallas (6)
Similar to Toure - neither are defending balls into the box with enough authority.
Clichy (6)
Adequate performance, did not see much from him coming forward.
Eboue (7)
Shunted over to the left wing in the second-half, from where he performed remarkably well considering.
Denilson (7)
Had a decent game going forward, passing better than of late - and with creativity, but the defensive side of his game remains non-existant.
Fabregas (7)
Always looking for that crucial pass, he was neat and tidy all afternoon, rarely, if ever, giving the ball away - although Blackburn didn't put him under nearly enough pressure.
Walcott (8) STAR MAN
Had an excellent first half off the back of his England exploits midweek, which has made him visibly more confident. Had one excellent strike on his right foot midway through the first half that was well parried by Robinson, and caused Blackburn continual problems with his burning pace and trickery.
Adebayor (8)
Rarely have I seen a player perform so frustratingly only to score a hatrick. Lost count of the amount of times he was blown offside, yet took all three of his clear chances when they were presented. That's Adebayor for you - and as long as he keeps on doing it, why complain?
Van Persie (7)
Looked dangerous throughout and scored a fine opener. Glad to see him back and fit despite his injury at Newcastle two weeks ago.

SUBSTITUTES

Song (6)
Neat and efficient in the defensive midfield role.
Ramsey (6)
Only had 10 minutes but still managed to set-up a goal for Adebayor.
Wilshire (5)
Didn't have much opportunity to see the youngster in action.