Arsenal Beats Blackpool, 3-1

By: Brian Gibson @ Monday, 11, 2011

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH: ARSENAL VS BLACKPOOL
DATE: APRIL 10, 2011
Robin van Persie, Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboue Seals The Victory
blackpool-vs-arsenal

Arsenal never loses hope that they may somehow pulled Manchester United down to the second place. With seven games left in the title race, the team’s spirit is at its peak. Dumping United is possible but it requires a lot of work and good fate.

The Gunners’ victory against Blackpool yesterday at Bloomfield Road showed how determined they are to get closer with Red Devils. The game ended in 3-1 score, cutting the Red Devils’ lead to seven points. Though they have problems with growing numbers of injuries this season, they were able to get the second spot. When the 33-year-old Gunners’ goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, suffered a knee injury during warm-up, Arsene Wenger have to place the 41 year-old German goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann back on the field.

Wenger trusted Lehmann and said that his experience in the field could be something that the team needs as they approach final laps of the season.

“Jens is a competitor. He brings determination, which you need in the final sprint.”

At the start of the game, The Tangerines had an early chance when center-back Ian Evatt headed over from Scottish central midfielder Charlie Adam corner. The team missed to score in the first half while Gunners took advantage of their mistakes. French midfielder Abou Diaby scored in the first 18 minutes of the game. Diaby drove in the center and easily slide the ball past Ghana vice-captain Richard Kingson. Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue doubled the lead just three minutes after Diaby’s goal. This marked his first goal this season since he scored against Blackburn in March 2009. Russian national team captain Andrei Arshavin made a beautiful pass to Eboue that gave Kingson no chance to stop Eboue’s powerful strike.

Blackpool midfielder Gary Taylor-Fletcher cuts the lead to one when he scored in the second half. It was a good start for the team but Dutch striker Robin van Persie sealed Arsenal victory with 14 minutes left in the game.