Savage silenced as awesome Arsenal continue hot streak

FAMILIAR territory for Arsenal at Ewood Park on Saturday, coasting to their third impressive victory in the north-west inside a week, and familiar territory also for Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage.

The controversial Welshman, never far from discord or a dispute, fouled Gilberto in the 13th minute, with the Brazilian’s rash, retaliatory reaction earning him an automatic red card and a three-game suspension that will start when the in-form Gunners host Manchester United next Sunday.

But where this incident differed from so many Savage indiscretions of the past was in his own reaction to Gilberto’s dismissal, with the combustible midfielder acting as a witness for the defence in an attempt to get referee Rob Styles to change his mind. Even Arsene Wenger, who had initially claimed Savage should have been sent off along with his man, was forced to offer one of the Premiership’s most unpopular players an apology.