Arshavin launches scathing attack on aggressive Blackburn

ANDREI ARSHAVIN has launched a scathing attack on Blackburn Rovers, describing Sam Allardyce’s side as the roughest side he has ever played against.

The Russian international suffered a nasty gash to his right foot during the first half of the Gunners 4-0 win over Blackburn on Saturday after a late tackle by Rovers defender Andre Ooijer.

The wound required eight stitches at half time but the Russian went on to score a sublime goal, his first since joining the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg in January, with the same foot in the second half.

And yesterday Arshavin, who, due to the injury, is a major doubt for tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Hull City at the Emirates Stadium, despite being, in the words of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger ‘desperate’ to play, revealed his foot looks like it was cut by ‘a knife’.

“I can’t even step on my foot now. It’s like a knife cut — not very deep but quite painful,’’ Arshavin said.

“Blackburn is the toughest tackling team I’ve ever played against. Ooijer tore my boot and the skin too. At half-time, our doctor had to do a lot of work on my foot. So when I scored the second goal, I ran over to thank him for a job well done.

Meanwhile Wenger believes underfire striker Nicklas Bendtner should take inspiration from team-mate Emmanuel Eboue after missing a string of chances against Blackburn.

The Dane has been heavily criticised by Arsenal fans this season and was guilty of squandering a host of gilt-edged opportunities on Saturday.

In contrast, Eboue, who was ironically cheered off the pitch in Arsenal’s win over Wigan in December, put his early-season troubles even further behind him by scoring twice in a cameo appearance after replacing Samir Nasri seven minutes from time.

And although he insists he isn’t worried about Bendtner’s confidence, Wenger thinks that the Dane should look no further than Eboue, who Wenger confirmed has agreed a new contract with the club, for an example of how quickly disappointment can turn to joy.

“Of course Eboue’s an example (for Bendtner),” said the Gunners boss.

“Bendtner will (turn it around) I am not worried about that, I was more worried about Eboue at one stage. Fans want performances and that is the only way we have to respond.

“I am pleased that Eboue starts to score because it looked to us that he could never score goals. It shows as well the importance of a psychological factor because he scored last week, again this week and could have scored another one. Before that he never looked like scoring so it’s more in their heads sometimes. If he had not scored his goal, and not scored last week, he would not have taken the penalty today and that tells you the importance of confidence.