Arsenal vs. Blackburn Results: Why Defense Is the Problem for Gunners' Poor Play

Arsenal were defeated by Blackburn Rovers 4-3 at Ewood Park Saturday, and once again the problem for the Gunners was the poor play of the back four.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saw his two new defensive signings play quite poorly, as center back Per Mertesacker and left back Andre Santos both struggled, and looked lost at times.

The back four as a group wasn't on the same page, and the poor communication resulted in failed offside traps and great chances for Blackburn.

Adding to Mertesacker's poor showing, was his inability to equalize late in the game from around the six-yard box on a brilliant cross from Robin Van Persie. The tall German defender headed the ball just over the crossbar, and should have scored.

Another problem for Arsenal this season has been own goals, and center back Laurent Koscielny had a shot go off of his leg and into the back of the net to make the deficit 4-2 for Arsenal late in the game. That was the second own goal of the game for the Gunners, Alex Song helped Blackburn equalize 2-2 in the 50th minute with an own goal.

Whether it's poor positioning or assuming the goalie will make the save, there is no excuse for the amount of own goals for Arsenal this season.

Wenger will also not be pleased with the way his side lost the game. Arsenal self-destructed, again, and now are in the bottom half of the Premier League table, and may stay there for a while.

Arsenal scored some beautiful goals today from Gervinho, Maroune Chamakh and Mikel Arteta, but they showed no discipline in the final third.

Premier League players watching this game today will be thinking they can have a go at Arsenal's defense and score goals.

Blackburn doesn't have nearly the amount of talent as many other of England's teams do, and if Arsenal doesn't sure up the holes in the back, they will have to score three or four goals every game just to have a chance at a draw.

Mertesacker and Santos will get better with time, and their chemistry with the other Arsenal defenders will improve, but if it doesn't get better quickly, the Gunners might not even qualify for the Europa League next year, let alone the Champions League.

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