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Blackburn v Arsenal preview

Laurent Koscielny is sent off.
Image: Koscielny: Return to action

Blackburn host Arsenal, live on Sky Sports HD2 & 2, aiming to record a repeat of last season's triumph.

Watch the clash live on Sky Sports HD2 & 2 on Saturday lunchtime

Blackburn Rovers host Arsenal, live on Sky Sports HD2 & 2, aiming to record a repeat of last season's triumph in the corresponding fixture. Rovers were 2-1 winners at Ewood Park in May this year as Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski endured another outing to forget. Speaking on Thursday, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urged referees to ensure that Premier League matches do not become 'rugby', perhaps hinting at Blackburn's sometimes physical approach. But Rovers manager Sam Allardyce is unlikely to be ruffled by Wenger's words, with the former focused on exploiting their opponents' potential weaknesses.

Dunn doubt

Blackburn have made a solid start to the season, beating Everton at home and being unfortunate not to come away from St Andrews with at least a point. Key playmaker David Dunn could again miss out for Rovers while Vince Grella (calf) has an outside chance of being fit. Midfielder Keith Andrews is considered a doubt with a groin problem while on-loan striker Mame Biram Diouf will be hopeful of a role following his midweek Carling Cup hat-trick.
Koscielny return
Arsenal, who beat Blackpool 6-0 last time out, have defender Laurent Koscielny available after he served his one-match suspension last weekend. Midfielder Denilson also returns to the squad, but new signing Sebastien Squillaci will not be involved. Samir Nasri (knee), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) remain sidelined.
Possible starting XIs:
Blackburn: Robinson, Olsson, Salgado, Samba, Givet, Nelsen, Jones, N'Zonzi, Pedersen, Diouf, Kalinic. Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Song, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin, Van Persie, Walcott.