Both Blackburn’s goals came from set pieces and they employed the same tactics: Crowd out Fabianski on the line so he would not be able to deal with the ball effectively. It worked to perfection.
Even before Morten Gamst Pedersen lined up to take the corner, a trio of Blackburn players surrounded Fabianski.
As the ball floated into the goal area Fabianski struggled to break free and ended up punching the ball weakly straight to Givet who recycled it back to Keith Andrews standing on the right edge of the box. The midfielder drilled a cross across the goalmouth and it deflected off Roberts to an unmarked David Dunn who was left with the simplest of finishes.
The winner again came off a corner. Morten Gamst Pedersen floating the ball towards the giant Christopher Samba as he and David Dunn backed Sol Campbell and Fabianski towards the line. This time the Polish goalkeeper missed the ball completely as Samba turned his head ever so slightly to nod the ball into goal.
Robin Van Persie gave the Gunners the lead as he scored of a Samir Nasri’s corner after Bacary Sagna had helped the ball across goal. But the Gunners never capitalized on a number of chances and Blackburn who have been tough all season long at home against the other top clubs added Arsenal’s scalp.
So here it is. Arsenal lose 1-2 against Blackburn and their swoon shows no sign of ending. They now need to win or draw Fulham to ensure their third place on the last day.