Arsenal: Gunners Recovering Slowly as Blackburn Enters Panic Mode

Arsenal's collapse is nothing compared to the disarray surrounding Blackburn. Arsene Wenger is the second most hated manager in this match, as Blackburn fans are protesting in an effort to get Steve Kean fired.

Arsenal has to be feeling pretty good about themselves, as they managed to win a match vs. Swansea and draw with Dortmund. Clearly the fanbase expects more out of the Gunners, but hey, it's a start.

The team completely fell apart heading into the season, and for a time, it seemed as though they would never win again. Robin Van Persie and the Arsenal attack seem to be on the brink of becoming a middle of the road EPL team, which is miles ahead of where they were.

The road to recovery wasn't expected to be any time soon, so Arsenal showing signs of even wanting to compete is a huge improvement. It's looking like Wenger might not be the worst manager in the world, and Arsenal fans can take the paper bags off their heads for the time being.

The same can't be said for Blackburn, who stumbles into this match without a single win and three losses in their first four games. They are the worst team in the EPL and showing no signs of bettering themselves.

Arsenal finds themselves in an unfamiliar position in this match. They are taking on a team who is even more out of sorts than they are, with an angrier fanbase who is griping even louder than their own.

It has to be a nice change of pace for Wenger and Arsenal as a whole, as they know all too well what Blackburn is experiencing.

That isn't to say that Arsenal has fully recovered by any means. There is no excuse for them not being a threat in the EPL. Losing Cesc Fabregas shouldn't mean the team is doomed to fail. They'll need a few big wins under their belt before we start taking them seriously.

This is a matchup between two teams in turmoil. A loss for either team is going to result in further outrage. It would put Arsenal back at square one and give Blackburn supporters even more reason to doubt their management.

For the winner, it's not exactly going to turn their world and season upside down. For the loser, the same cannot be said.

--Kyle Vassalo