EPL Review: Arsenal Player Ratings vs. Blackburn Rovers

Arsenal suffered their third defeat of the 2011/2012 English Premier League season with a hugely disappointing 4-3 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park. The Gunners' enjoyed a strong first half, Gervinho weaved impressively to open the scoring with in ten minutes.

Arsene Wenger's men entered the main break with a 2-1 advantage. However a calamitous second half demise that included two infuriating own goals saw a struggling Rovers' outfit secure an unlikely victory and ensure manager Steve Kean was able to alleviate a large amount of imposing pressure.

It signified distress for Arsenal however with their poor beginning to 2011/2012 continuing. The North London giants crumbled in the second half and evoked the defensive frailties of late last season. Furthermore Arsene Wenger's squad were not considerably decimated with injuries and suspensions like in recent weeks as a number of key players returned.

However it is still early days for the Gunners' who boast the ability, integrity and squad to remove the physiological scars of the recent Summer and find form to ensure they maintain their presence in the English Premier League Top Four.

BleacherReport rates the Arsenal players.

Wojciech Szczesny:6: In truth the inform Polish shot stopper cannot be blamed for the goals conceded as his defensive line failed to produce a sufficient performance. Szczesny made some strong saves but at times did look somewhat fragile.

Bacary Sagna:6: The Frenchman was tested by the lively Junior Hoilett but overall instilled composure to the defensive line. Sagna was also strong in attack with a number of penetrating crosses and his injury contributed to the Gunners' demise.

Per Mertesacker:5.5: The giant German was somewhat unconvincing considering his reputation. The pace of Blackburn's attack evoked a nervy response and at times appeared in no mans land. However it was his third match in a week since joining the Gunners' and surely Wenger should be wary of fatigue for a player who has just arrived in the English Premier League.

Laurent Koscielny:5: A tough, tough game for the Frenchman. Koscielny made an array of mistakes, the worst his poor footing and control that lead to the second own goal. Many consider the former Lorient FC defender overrated, today Laurent Koscielny was just poor.

Andre Santos:5: A lacklustre debut from the £6.2 million Fenerbache signing. Santos was positionally weak and at times lacked adequate strength and pace. However the Brazilian did at times appear threatening down the left flank. 

Alexandre Song:6: The Cameroon international was magnificent in the first half, assisting Gervinho for the first and producing his non nonsense defensive displays. However Song was too anonymous in periods during the second half and was unfortunate to concede an own goal.

Aaron Ramsey:6: The Wales captain was completely anonymous when Arsenal needed a lift in the second half. However Ramsey was strong in the opening forty five, producing a number of sublime passes and assisting Mikel Arteta with the second.

Mikel Arteta:6: The Spaniard provided much needed flair and creativity in the first half and scored an impressive goal but similar to his other midfielders, Arteta was too quiet when Arsenal requried attacking answers.

Gervinho:7: The Ivorian was quick, balanced and skillful with the ball and scored a superb goal early in the encounter. Gervinho made a number of impressive runs but at times attempted to do too much and lost possession.

Andrei Arshavin:5.5: The Russian dynamo was dangerous on occasions during the opening forty five but ultimately failed to provide the spark required and was substituted early in the second half.

Robin van Persie:6: The Arsenal captain again showed why he is better positioned closer to the midfield as he struggled to make an impact. However van Persie provided a superb cross for Marouane Chamakh to score and created chances late in the match.

Substitutes

Johan Djourou:5: A poor performance from the imposing Swiss, who was torn apart by the pace of the likes of Hoilett, Olsson and Yakubu. Djourou struggled at right back and in the centre ans his performance was epitomized when Olsson sprinted away from his challenge and eventually leading to the second own goal.

Theo Walcott:6: The Englishman instilled a missing spark in the second half but again his decision making came into question as Walcott was all speed and no finish.

Marouane Chamakh:6.5: The Moroccan showed that if given the chance he can perform as Chamakh scored a sublime header.