HT Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn: Gunners still firing blanks

Arsenal were left frustrated as they failed to break down a determined Blackburn side in the first 45 minutes of this evening's Barclays Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, who trailed leaders Manchester United by eight points, started brightly, but failed to test Paul Robinson, as Jack Wilshere stabbed wide.

Rovers - who had lost five of the last eight matches - grew in confidence and had a couple of decent openings, Steven Nzonzi's header dropping just wide.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas returned from a hamstring injury but was left on the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium.

Fit again Theo Walcott and Alex Song both made the starting XI, along with England midfielder Jack Wilshere, who played twice over the international break, while Manuel Almunia continued in goal ahead of veteran Jens Lehmann.

Robin van Persie - who has a fantastic scoring record against Rovers - recovered from a thigh problem to lead the attack as Arsenal looked to close the gap on Manchester United.

Blackburn, battling at the other end of the table, were able to welcome back midfielder David Dunn, who recovered from a hip injury to take his place on the bench.

Rovers captain Chris Samba overcame a back problem to start.

With United having extended their lead to eight points after coming from behind to win at West Ham earlier this afternoon, Arsenal could not afford another off day following two successive draws before the international break.

It was a positive start by the Gunners, with Walcott looking lively down the right.

On four minutes, the England winger got away to the edge of the Rovers' box before squaring to Song and his shot was deflected behind.

Walcott was proving too hot to handle and his low centre across goal was hacked clear by Ryan Nelsen before he was then denied at the near post by Paul Robinson.

Rovers - just a point above the drop zone after five defeats in eight games - were in danger of being overrun.

However, Steve Kean's men were given some respite when full-backs Martin Olsson and Bacary Sagna collided when going for a 50/50 on the touchline, leaving the Rovers man worse off.

Samir Nasri then needed treatment for a clash of heads with Nelsen.

Arsenal were, though, soon back on the offensive, if without really causing major concern in the visitors' penalty area.

On 23 minutes, Rovers had an opportunity when Laurent Koscielny tripped David Hoilett 22 yards out in a central position.

Brett Emerton, however, smashed the free-kick high into the stands.

Andrey Arshavin let fly from 25 yards, and Robinson could only parry before the loose ball was hacked away.

Arsenal broke quickly and Van Persie fed Nasri on the overlap but, as the Frenchman cut the ball back onto the penalty spot, Wilshere somehow stabbed his first-time shot wide.

Hoilett was cautioned for stopping a quick free-kick as again Rovers found themselves on the defensive.

Almunia had been a spectator, but was almost embarrassed when Olsson's 25-yard effort took a slight deflection and the Arsenal keeper was left out of position as the ball bounced off his gloves and rolled just past the post.

It was now Arsenal's turn to be pushed back as Hoilett cut inside Sagna before darting into the penalty area only to skew his shot wide.

A couple of hefty challenges were flying in, and referee Phil Dowd had seen enough when after 39 minutes Michel Salgado left Van Persie on the deck, going straight for his pocket.

Walcott burst clear from a quick throw-out, but had no support and eventually dragged his shot wide from 20 yards.

Rovers sent a long ball into the Arsenal box from a free-kick in their own half. Almunia failed to punch and Steven Nzonzi saw his backward header drop just wide.

In stoppage time, Song's determined run found Nasri in the Rovers box, but his shot on the turn was blocked by Samba.