Arsenal lose again

Arsenal 1 Blackburn 2

If the essence of a great side is the way they respond to adversity, Arsenal showed they are still some way short of aspiring to that status as they tumbled to their third straight defeat against Blackburn.

Arsene Wenger’s gamble of opting for Patrick Vieira’s two-match ban to start immediately, rather than next month, backfired badly as the Gunners patently missed their captain’s influence at Highbury.

Instead, even against 10 men for the last 10 minutes, they succumbed to a spirited Blackburn side, who were well-balanced, dangerous on the break and, in keeper Brad Friedel, had the game’s star performer.

Just a fortnight ago, Wenger was still hoping for his side to go unbeaten all season. Now he would simply settle for a scrappy point.

The fates may have conspired against Arsenal as they went behind after just five minutes, with the curse of David Seaman continuing as team-mate Edu inadvertently lobbed him to concede an own goal.

However, they had luck on their side with the way in which the Brazilian redeemed himself on the stroke of half-time with a fortuitous free-kick equaliser.

And there was no disputing the class of Blackburn’s 50th-minute winner through Dwight Yorke or the masterful display of Friedel in keeping the champions at bay.

The absence of Vieira was certainly crucial, given that this game was exactly when Arsenal had to show character in responding to their defeats by Everton and Auxerre.

However, in the Frenchman’s absence, Edu came into midfield alongside compatriot Gilberto Silvo for what, to say the least, was to prove an eventful afternoon.

It is hard to work out just what David Seaman must have done to deserve such miserably bad luck at the moment.

Indeed, there must be a collection of broken mirrors, black cats and ladders just waiting to be walked under at the keeper’s home.

For on the back of freak goals scored against him by Ronaldinho, Gareth Farrelly and Macedonia’s Artim Sakiri, this time even one of his own team-mates joined in by lobbing him on his goal-line.

When Yorke cut back a cross into the Arsenal penalty area, there appeared little danger until Edu stuck out a foot and somehow lobbed his own keeper, who was just a couple of feet off his line and was unable to react in time.

Arsenal attempted to rally, but their fortunes had not improved.

Even when Sylvain Wiltord found Ashley Cole at the far post, the full-back’s goalbound drive was unwittingly kept out by the prostrate figure of Fredrik Ljungberg.

The Blackburn goal was certainly living a charmed life as Wiltord, Thierry Henry, Kanu and Fredrik Ljungberg all came agonisingly close only to find keeper Brad Friedel in inspired form.

One reaction save to deny Henry from 10 yards out was inspired but finally Arsenal made the breakthrough in first-half injury time after Nils-Eric Johansson had conceded a free-kick wide on the right flank.

Edu’s fierce dead-ball effort flew across the face of goal, through a crowded penalty area, past the outstretched boot of Kanu and into the far corner of the net off the inside of the upright.

As the Brazilian sank to his knees and said a silent prayer to the heavens in relief, Arsenal’s luck had finally turned. Or so it seemed.

For they were behind again just five minutes after the restart as Sol Campbell was caught out of position.

Tugay sent Ostenstad racing through the centre and he had the presence of mind to square the ball to Yorke, who calmly clipped his finish over the diving figure of Seaman.

Back came Arsenal, but the visitors were again indebted to Friedel.

Arsenal badly needed some inspiration and Wenger could wait no longer. On came both Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires with 27 minutes left, replacing Kanu and Edu and they both soon registered their own near-misses.

Friedel produced another great save from Wiltord and, even when he looked to have been beaten, Taylor made an incredible goal-line clearance.

Finally, there was renewed hope for the home side as Garry Flitcroft was harshly sent off for his second bookable offence with 11 minutes left.

But Blackburn reorganised and actually came the closest to scoring again through Yorke before holding on for a superb victory that leaves Arsenal wondering just where their supposed aura of invincibility has disappeared to.