I think I’m going to try something different this season… a match preview. I normally only write reaction to the matches and random football related bits and funnies I find worthwhile. A lot of the blogs I read focus a lot on transfers and club business, which is great, but I’m not cut out for that sort of thing. So, if time allows, I’ll try and throw these previews together a day or so before each match.

This week, we head off to the cozy and rustic Ewood Park to face my dog’s favorite club, Blackburn Rovers. Had I known when I got him, I may have named him Rover, but he didn’t even realize he was a Blackburn supporter at that point. Nonetheless, I’ve had quite a bit of fun over the years rubbing his nose in shit when the Gunners beat his side up. I’m hoping tomorrow will be another such occasion. Although, if we flub it, he’ll be relentless in his efforts to rub my nose in shit. I’ll have to listen to his barking for days. Come on, boys. Don’t let me down.

Paul Ince is the new chief at Blackburn, and he’s off to a better start than I think most people expected. An opening day win over Everton, then a draw with Hull, and then a loss to Hammers has them asking questions, I’d bet. But 4 points from 9 isn’t terrible. They’ll be up for it this week, I think. Probably not enough, but… eh, don’t make me go on about underestimating again. You know the drill. I think we’ll have enough to bring home all three points this week, even with our injury list and resting players from that interminable international break.

The key here is going to be containing Santa Cruz, but also Pedersen and his crosses. It’s going to be fun watching Bacary Sagna do his best to frustrate Pedersen all afternoon. If he can do that successfully, it should be an easier time of it for Captain Gallaxy and Kolo Toure to flummox Santa Cruz in the middle. I’m not sure how they’re lining up on the right, but I feel pretty comfortable so long as Gael Clichy is there.

Is this the game where we see Emmanuel Adebayor pick up scoring where he left off last season? I certainly hope so… unlike Paul Robinson, who probably hopes Manu suffers a debilitating bout of Les Trots at the last moment before kick off. It looks like Theo Walcott will not be allowed to ride his England hat trick momentum (brilliant work, Theo, truly excellent) and will get a rest. Cesc Fabregas should be fired up and well rested after a limited appearance for Spain, and Samir Nasri has picked up a minor knee injury which will see him in the stands. Tomas Rosicky is still nowhere in sight, and it looks as though we’ll get Emmanuel Eboue again. Abou Diaby? Perhaps.

Let’s add a match prediction to this new feature, shall we? I say:

Blackburn 1-3 Arsenal

And I’ll even go so far as to say a brace from Manu, and the other from RvP or Cesc. If we leak a goal, it will come from Santa Cruz. How’s that for prognostication? Good luck, Arsenal. Have a good start to your road trip.