How Can Arsenal Counter Blackburn's Brand of Anti-Football?

This holiday weekend sees Arsenal take on Blackburn at Ewood Park. The aim to gain three points and secure third place is forefront in their minds.

Blackburn

Blackburn sit 11th in the premier league with 44 points and minus 16 goal difference, substantially poorer than Arsenal.

They have scored 38 goals this season compared to Arsenal's amazing 78. Given Arsenal's lack of strike-force this season due to injuries, the difference is all the more striking.

Blackburn will finish in mid-table, and have nothing left to play for but pride. Arsenal meanwhile have a fight for third place on their minds. Their need for three points is much greater than Blackburn's.

Form makes a difference when comparing the teams, and Blackburn's home form is better than away.

Recently drawing with Manchester United at home, Blackburn seem to be perfecting the art of stopping other, more creative, teams from playing. A characteristic perhaps of their manager, Sam Allardyce, and his style of tactics.

In fact, they have lost at home only three times this season, making Ewood Park something of a fortress against visiting teams.

Sam Allardyce of course has been a nemesis to Arsenal over the years, managing Bolton to some shock results, prior to his moves first to Newcastle and then Blackburn.

Tactics

Arsenal fans have long been heavily critical of Allardyces' tactics and style of play, deeming it "Anti-football", and adding accusations of overly rough play from a very physical team.

The style of play acknowledged by pundits and fans alike has often been to pack the defence and rely on long balls forward to catch the other team on the break. Whilst rarely attractive, their style of play is never to be underestimated.

Allardyce, cruelly dubbed "Fat Sam," is always bullish, and often belligerent. He won't be quick to capitulate, regardless of nothing being at stake in the match.

He knows, more than most Premier League managers, the effectiveness of camping in their own area and blocking Arsenal's attack. So many teams have carried out that tactic successfully against Arsenal this season that it's hard not to see it working again.

Arsenal have to ensure their defense, shorn of first-team starters as it is, maintains their integrity against the very strong possibility of being caught on the break.

Silvestre and Campbell, undoubtedly re-creating the partnership they formed against Manchester City, will need to retain position and avoid pushing forward.

A flaw shown often by Arsenal this season has been a defense too keen to push forward, leaving gaps at the back.

A Way Through

A bigger problem perhaps is how the Arsenal attack is to get past the Blackburn defense. Van Persie was neutralised completely against Manchester City, and it was not until Bendtner came on that Van Persie began to find balls in the box.

Wenger almost certainly needs to start with that partnership, perhaps holding Walcott back as a late substitute.

Arsenal have a clear and definite need to get balls into the box and whilst Walcott can provide that if he has space to run, Bendtner is perhaps more capable of making space, with his greater physical presence.

Similar tactics to those of Blackburn have been faced many times this season and last, and sadly they have worked against Arsenal all too often. Anti-football or not, it cannot be denied it is effective.

Arsenal have neutralised this tactic when they have kept their composure, not looking to break forward too quickly themselves, and drawing the other team out. Inducing a break in the opposition defensive back-line by drawing them forward into attack.

However in doing that, the danger of conceding first is a major worry, as Blackburn will then completely closes down their play and camp in their own area. Again a situation Arsenal have faced with frustration too often.

The tenuous balance between needing to score first and needing to not concede first is a tightrope that teams face when playing against these tactics.

Formation

A formation of 4-4-1-1 is likely to be the best way to counter this: sitting back and defending, then moving the ball forward quickly via an attacking spine. It's a tactic that could work well with Bendtner in the supporting role and Van Persie forward.

Key to winning though is the defense. That may sound odd against a side being defensive, but the importance of not conceding cannot be underestimated.

The Arsenal defense need to be rock-solid, remaining in position at all times. Silvestre particularly has a penchant for going forward too quickly, and Campbell will need to steady him at the back.

So, a solid formation with a rapier-like attack, slow build up and draw the opposition out, would seem to be a good way forward. It will be interesting to see how Wenger balances the urgency that should be in the team, with the need to achieve a result.

If Arsenal are to secure third place on Monday, they will need a win, otherwise they will be reliant on other teams' results, and awaiting the last game of the season...perhaps a touch too near the wire.