It’s the first away game in the new Premiership season 2007/2008 and I have collected what our worthy opponents have to say in their respective forum at Roverstalk.com. Not many responses though, but some are quite good. Indeed both sides are very confident about the game in which 3 points are vital. How prepared are we about winning this game? One of those games will show how far The Gunners can handle the post-Thierry Henry era.
Solid start for both teams of the new 2007/2008 season, How do you think the teams will in this game?
Depends how we get on in Finland – a good win will see us grow in confidence, a disappointing result might make it feel like a longer trip back. It’s our first home game, we’ll be wanting a good performance, but I’m under no illusions as to the quality of our opponents. – Rover The Top
Cancel each other out? You’ll probably boss the midfield but fail to capitalise on the advantage, we’ll probably nick a goal… draw? – theadore
I think we will be up for this game altho we have got a game in mid week (thurs), I dont think Arsenal will relish a trip up to Ewood. – DunnFC
It’s a tough match for Rovers, but I expect a fairly even game. – roverJ
What are your expectations ahead of this season? Qualifying for Europe perhaps? Or something more?
I don’t have expectations, but I do believe we’re more than capable of reaching the UEFA Cup again, and I think there’s a chance we can get into the top 4. But, so many teams have changed personnel over the summer, it’s difficult to predict what could happen – we might end up in the bottom half of the table if just a few games go the wrong way. I think the league is too tight, the difference between 5th and 15th isn’t much. – Rover The Top
UEFA cup… good runs in domestic cups and an improvement on last years league positions. – theadore
Europe is a must, hoping the takeover will be completed and we could sneak 4th. – DunnFC
I think we have the quality to qualify for Europe. We’d need a lot of luck to get into the top four. That said, I expect the league to be a lot more open this season with a lot of new players flooding in to improve/unsettle the existing teams. So who knows? – roverJ
Which players, including your new summer signings, will be the most influential this coming new season? Why?
I think you’ve got to look at the main men at each end of the pitch – we look to Benni McCarthy to get the goals, Brad Friedel to stop them. But really, we’re a strong unit, every player has an important role to play and I wouldn’t want to be without any of them. – Rover The Top
Santa Cruz is the obvious choice… although I think the building that started in the last window with Samba and Warnock coming into the defence is more crucial to how the team will perform – theadore
I belive Nelsen at the back is crucial he keeps the defence together and him and samba have a great understanding together. – DunnFC
I really think Santa Cruz is going to be crucial. We probably have the two best natural wingers outside the top four and if they can get good quality crosses in, things could be looking rather good. Steven Reid is another important player. I’d love to see him come back from injury and boss our midfield. – roverJ
Who do you think, from our side, will be the most threatening ahead of this game and why?
Jens Lehmann. He attacks someone every time we play you! – Rover The Top
Fabregas is for my money the most talented player in the premiership… if he gets hold of the game I expect us to lose.- theadore
I will go for RVP hes deadly from free kicks and is always a danger.DunnFC
Fabregas is a class act. If our midfielders don’t contain him, he could cause major problems.roverJ
Would you settle for results through defensive football, or would you like to see your side attack and pass the ball like Arsenal at their best?
I bet you’d like to see Arsenal attack and pass the ball like Rovers at their best – we break down defences by doing it. It’s a pitiful question, but to give you an answer – I like what we’re currently doing, adopting whatever tactics are necessary to beat the team in front of us. It’s better than getting nowhere playing ‘pretty’ football for 90 minutes, if it’s not working move to plan B. – Rover The Top
Actually I would prefer more teams to pass the ball like rovers at their best… – theadore
Arsenal these days are rarely at the best but im sure we will give it our all and go out there and not worrie and hopefully pick up 3pts. DunnFC
Defending is going to be very important against a team like Arsenal, but I wouldn’t be happy with us playing for a 0-0. We’re going to have to attack, too, and I expect us to do that. But Mark Hughes remembers the 6-2 result and he’s learnt not to go gung-ho against the top four. – roverJ
Where do you think our side will finish this season?
6th or 7th. It’s sticking my neck out a bit, but I think it’s time for a change at the top of the table. – Rover The Top
4th… Sorry. – theadore
You will strugle for a cl spot but uefa cup is guarenteed.- DunnFC
Actually, I reckon you’ll do surprisingly well. All the other teams have been spending millions and bringing in expensive new players, but Arsenal have some good young players who know each other and have experience playing as a team. I predict second place. – roverJ
Are you happy with your current squad or will you be scouting for more players before the transfer window closes? Why?
Happy with the squad, we’ve got good players with a variety of skills in all positions. That’s not to say we won’t be on the lookout for the next bargain superstar, though. – Rover The Top
More players would always be welcome, but if it was a choice between commings AND goings or keeping the squad as is I don’t think any of the players that are being linked as as good as the ones they would be replacing. Although Pablo Aimar….- theadore
Atm im happy but we have got another big season ahead of us and we could pick up injuries in a smallish squad.- DunnFC
Yes, this is the best squad we’ve had since 1996. But we will always be scouting and we may bring in one or two more players before the window closes. – roverJ
How do you think your manager, Mark Hughes will do this season, and how well has he done so far?
Can’t praise the man enough. He’s still learning the job, of course, but he’s really applied some intelligence to the job, something you rarely see at any club. He learns from his mistakes, he’s not afraid to make brave decisions, he’s shown great tactical awareness, and he’s adopted a sensible, effective approach to the transfer market. Not to mention the improvements in the quality of our training regime, and how much he’s raised team spirit. He’s ambitious, he’s not afraid to set high targets, and I think he gets everyone at the club believing they’re possible. It’s become normal for us to expect a good cup run and be pushing for Europe, and I don’t think we’re far from going that little bit further again. – Rover The Top
Built a strong squad… not much else, but the way he has done it should not be overlooked. He has slowly strengthened every area rather than paper over the cracks with a big signing. – theadore
Hes a miracle worker! Shoe string budget and is always likely to pull of a result against the supposed big “4”- DunnFC
Mark Hughes has done incredibly well on a shoe-string budget. Like was said above, I really can’t praise him enough. I would rather have Hughes at the club than any other manager and I expect him to continue to impress. – roverJ
What sort of line-up would you expect Hughes to line-up against us?
11 players, probably just the one goalkeeper, and I’d guess at 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 2 strikers. – Rover The Top
A normal one with the likes of Savage in the Centre and maybe the axe to steady things at the back infact to provide extra cover for nelsen and samba. – DunnFC
4-4-2. He’ll prefer Ooijer to Emerton at rightback, because he’s more defensive. May go with Mokoena and Savage in the middle to battle control of the park. Most likely Santa Cruz and McCarthy upfront. – roverJ
Finally, fancy predicting the score?
The will be only one goal in the game and it will go either way. – DunnFC
Not really. But if you really want, I’ll go with 2-1 to Rovers. – roverJ
Many thanks to these Blackburn fans who are willing to take time to answer these questions. To follow these discussions in full please click here.