One step forward, A few steps back

Well, one thing is for sure. It's gonna be a long hard and ultimately, exciting season.

To get beat 4-3 by Blackburn, given the state that club is in, is quite humiliating. Why can't we hold on to leads anymore? We've changed the personnel massively from last year, so why is the same thing happening over and over?

Barring Vermaelen and Wilshere, we had our strongest team out. Andre Santos was given his first start, Song and Gervinho were both recalled and looking at the team sheet, I was pleased with what we had to offer. Within ten minutes, the returning duo combined to put us 1-0 up, Gervinho finishing off a lovely Alex Song pass. Easy street, surely? Well, not if you play in Red and White, it would seem. Yakubu levelled with a fantastic finish. Yet there were more moments where Blackburn troubled us, aerially. Hopefully we can sort this out sooner than later.

We went into the break 2-1 up with Arteta getting on the score sheet with a fantastic finish. After the break, Gervinho had a brilliant chance to score, opting to shoot rather than pass to an unmarked Robin van Persie. Disappointing, but we bemoan the lack of greediness in the side at times, so we can't have it all our way. The next 3 goals, terrifyingly, were scored by Blackburn. All defensive mistakes. I'm going to put it down to the fact these players are not use to playing alongside one another. Marouane Chamakh netted a consolation with an excellent header. His first in the league for 10 months.

So what's the problem? Well, a lot it would seem. Two strong results previously, we've now received a somewhat harsh setback. And I feel that is how this season is going to go. Some top results followed by shocking draws or defeats. And we just have to ride it out. Right now, if we don't pull ourselves together, we are in real danger of missing out on the Champions League.

A word on Johan Djourou. Just what is happening with him. He had a good half last season, but since his injury he has been woeful. Not good enough for Arsenal, or a team in the top half of the league.

Tomorrow we host Shrewsbury at the Emirates, hopefully a chance for the kids to show us the way again. Looking forward to seeing Ryo Miyaichi and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action.

Well, that's the weekend over. A miserable one at that. Thank you Arsenal.