Fabregas, Koscielny and van Persie in for Gunners

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made three changes for what he expected to be another physical test against Blackburn at Ewood Park, with new boy Sebastien Squillaci spared a baptism of fire.

Wenger brought Cesc Fabregas, Laurent Koscielny and Robin van Persie back into his starting line-up but Denilson was still missing with an abdominal injury.

Rovers boss Sam Allardyce re-introduced his big guns after the midweek Carling Cup win over Norwich, although David Dunn was on the bench after injury.

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, El-Hadji Diouf, Jones, Pedersen, Grella, Mame Diouf, Kalinic. Subs: Bunn, Olsson, Emerton, Dunn, Nzonzi, Hoilett, Chimbonda.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Diaby, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, van Persie, Arshavin. Subs: Fabianski, Rosicky, Vela, Wilshere, Eboue, Gibbs, Chamakh.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)