Wenger names unchanged Arsenal side

Arsene Wenger named an unchanged line-up as Arsenal looked to return to the top of the Premiership by avenging last season’s double defeat at the hands of Blackburn.

Rovers were the only side to complete the Premiership double over Arsenal last season, winning 2-0 at home and 2-1 at Highbury, when Brad Friedel was in inspired form.

Wenger kept faith in the side which gained a 2-0 win against Lokomotiv Moscow in midweek to secure the club’s place in the Champions League knock-out stages.

That again meant no place for Sylvain Wiltord, who was not even included on the bench, while Lauren was still out injured.

Blackburn also kept an unchanged line-up from the side which defeated Birmingham 4-0 last weekend as they arrived at Highbury in a similarly confident mood.

Arsenal v Blackburn 2pm

Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Campbell, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg, Vieira, Silva, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry.

Subs: Keown, Parlour, Edu, Kanu, Stack.

Blackburn: Friedel, Babbel, Short, Todd, Gresko, Emerton, Tugay, Ferguson, Neill, Gallagher, Yorke.

Subs: Flitcroft, Cole, Reid, Baggio, Enckelman.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex)