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Premiership: Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers - Previe

/noticias.info/ Arsène Wenger has warned his players to guard against complacency when Blackburn visit Highbury tomorrow.

On the face of it, Arsenal are odds-on favourites to extend their unbeaten League run to nine games. They have won all eight home fixtures this season, assured top spot in Champions League Group B on Tuesday with a match to spare and have been steadily climbing the Premiership table in recent weeks with 22 points from their last 24.

Meanwhile Blackburn have won just one of their last 12 Premiership away games.

However Wenger argues that the Ewood Park outfit are a rejuvenated side this term. They still have the steel displayed in the FA Cup Semi-Final between the two sides last season but have added some speed and guile too.

“We are all conscious it is tricky game for us tomorrow,” said Wenger at today’s pre-game press conference. “Blackburn are a very effective side.

“They have the commitment of Mark Hughes because when you played against him he gave you a rough time. He gets that quality from his side and I see nothing wrong with it.

“His side have great fitness too and they added this season what they needed — Craig Bellamy.

“With Paul Dickov, he gives you the commitment and runs that they needed. I feel they will be one of the sides who can upset anybody this season in the Premiership.”

In addition a more serious look at that poor away record reveals that their solitary success must act as warning tomorrow.

“They won at Manchester United this season,” said Wenger, “and they have just drawn at Manchester City, who have had good results recently. That shows they are not only committed, they are quality.

“We will focus on our passing and try to be a speedy, technical side. It is the best way to cope with their commitment.

“But the one thing I have noticed in the training sessions recently is that the belief is back and the ambition is there. The unity is fine as well, what we need now is consistency.”

Wenger is without Ashley Cole (foot), Gael Clichy (foot) and Alexander Hleb (knee). It means he is likely to stick with Pascal Cygan on the port side of the defence.

“It is blow to lose these left backs,” said Wenger. “It is a short-term situation. I try to get around it and, at the moment, I’ll play Cygan or Lauren. However I still feel we have to wait for Ashley.

“But on the positive side we have rebuilt confidence and I believe within the squad the spirit is very high therefore I feel we can compensate.”

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