It seems Cesc Fábregas’s Barcelona DNA, something mentioned from sources at the Camp Nou on a repetitive basis, has mutated. While nobody would dispute that the Catalan midfielder has his hometown club in his blood, it is indisputably mixed with red and white cells of a different kind.
Fábregas, whose all-round display shimmered, pledged his affection for Arsenal after scoring with a graceful volley. He smothered the badge on his shirt with a kiss. “There’s always speculation I don’t like it here but I am committed to this club 100 per cent,” he said. “It’s my seventh season and it’s hard to hear people say they think I’m not committed enough. It was a good time to show them I really love this club.”
Considering this all took place in front of Thierry Henry, who made a pre-match appearance with a regal wave before settling down with his daughter to watch the goalfest, Fábregas’s clarification was useful. If you did not know better, you could have sworn the Arsenal captain was trying extra hard to put on a good show to ensure Henry returned to the Camp Nou with a sparkling scouting report.
As it is, Henry witnessed a display that justifies Arsenal’s reputation as Barcelona-lite. The football was at times exquisite. The goals were beautifully worked. The defence was an afterthought. Alex Song had a job and a half on his hands considering every other player on his team outside the back four and goalkeeper had an aversion to being inside their own half.
With that in mind Blackburn’s contribution, especially in a first half that was spectacularly open, was notable. They took the lead when Paul Robinson launched a free-kick from his own half as far as the opposing penalty area, where Steven Nzonzi – easily Blackburn’s tallest player in the absence of the injured Christopher Samba – beat Thomas Vermaelen in the air to nod a looping header over Vito Mannone.
Vermaelen was evidently seething about being thoroughly outmanoeuvred. He cantered forward, was fouled by Brett Emerton, dusted himself down, and seized a pass from Fábregas to thump a 25-yarder into the bottom corner. Talk about channelling your anger positively. Vermaelen was so psyched up he almost popped a vein.
Now it was Blackburn’s time to react. David Dunn barged into Mannone to show he was not about to take things lightly and, when the ball arrived to him in the area,, after solid approach work from El Hadji Diouf and Emerton, he trotted past William Gallas to shoot in off the French defender’s heel.
Before Blackburn had a chance to settle, the see-saw tipped back thanks to Fábregas’s mastery of the assist, which prompted two goals in four minutes. Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin were the grateful recipients.
Sam Allardyce knew Blackburn would have chances to claw their way back, given the vast spaces Arsenal leave uncovered. Martin Olsson produced a terrific volley that Mannone parried well and David Hoilett was unfortunate when Vermaelen glanced his effort on to a post.
But the major beef came just after the break, when Dunn was denied a penalty, having been tripped by Vermaelen. “It is a blatant one,” said Allardyce. “This is why I am into pushing for technology because, if I am given the opportunity to challenge two or three decisions a game, I could challenge that one and we could have a chance to get some points out of Arsenal. We have been denied that chance and when Fábregas gets that fourth goal we end up looking like, well we are, a well-beaten side.
“You have got to get the major decisions right, otherwise you don’t stay in this league too long, not as a manager or a player, so as a referee you have got to be judged the same. They are fully professional now, so if they are not good enough, we should find someone who is.”
Fábregas, who could have had a hat-trick, gave Arsenal breathing space, from which the substitutes profited. Theo Walcott made the watching Fabio Capello’s day when he scored with one of his first touches of the season, clipping home after another dinked touch from Fábregas helped Arshavin’s cross into his path. Then Nicklas Bendtner showed no ill effects of his car crash when he dribbled infield to wallop the sixth past Robinson, who was unfortunate to go home with such a beating to digest, considering he had kept out at least as many again.
This, the only goal not involving Fábregas, occurred when he was off the field. Thrilled as Arsène Wenger was with his talisman, he was keen to share the plaudits around. “When we are confident we have a flow that looks like the goals will come at any moment and from anywhere. There is something in the side that is lighthearted and enjoyable to watch. Why? Because they enjoy to play together and that for me is the most important.”
Would Henry have even got a game in this team? “He would,” said Wenger.
“And he would have scored certainly.”
Premier LeagueArsenalBlackburn RoversAmy Lawrenceguardian.co.uk
