Lukasz Fabianski who handles the ball like a hot potato once again gets a chance to prove himself.
He did not do anything stupid against City last time but this time faces an aggressive Blackburn squad that scores regularly through set pieces.
Wenger has talked him up saying he should channel Emmanuel Eboue who was on the ropes last season and then effected this remarkable turnaround. He is one of the club’s highlights.
I am not sure if Eboue can be held up as role model. Yes, he has brought a liveliness and an improved work ethic to his game. But Eboue has also benefited from Walcott losing his way in the lineup. In fact, it does appear Wenger is a bit worried about the wing play recently exhorting Nasri to produce like Pires.
Eboue still shows defensive lapses, not tracking behind enough. Which happened against Barca. He galloped across the field purposelessly with his touch horribly off. Elements of his gamesmanship showed up against Spurs. So although he has made much improvement, he is still a work in progress.
By the way, Blackburn were thumped 6-2 in the previous encounter at the Emirates. The goalscorers were Vermaelen, Van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Walcott, and Bendtner. We are missing three of those scorers and our last win came against Wolves a month ago. In the last seven matches in all competitions the record is 1 win, 3 draws, and 3 losses. In this swoon 12 goals have been conceded and only 8 scored. There is no title to play for but we can at least go out on a high note in the last two matches of the season.