Arsenal<\/a> as the visitors held the Gunners to a 0-0 draw despite being a man down.<\/p>\nThe draw marks Blackburn\u2019s very first league point against Arsenal at the Emirates, a result that was no fluke as Rovers looked to stifle the Gunners\u2019 midfield with the trio of Phil Jones, Jermaine Jones and Stephen N\u2019Zonzi.<\/p>\n
It was all going so well until about the 75th<\/sup> minute when N\u2019Zonzi was given a straight red card after a potentially dangerous two-footed lunge on Laurent Koscielny as the Arsenal defender looked to clear his lines.<\/p>\nBlackburn captain Chris Samba, believed that although the sending off was a moment he rather hadn\u2019t have happened, it made them pull together as a team, and that the key to the point was sticking to the game plan.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the ESPN<\/em> cameras, Samba said: \u201cIt was very tough after N\u2019Zonzi\u2019s red card.<\/p>\n“We showed great spirit at the end when Stephen got sent off.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stayed together and communicated a lot and today we showed we want to stay in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe followed the gameplan and, you play Arsenal you need to press them because you know they were going to have the ball more than you, but you don\u2019t let them do what they do because they have great players, great abilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe tried to stay tight to them and to take them on the counter attack or set pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the match, it was obvious how desperate the Blackburn players were not to lose, especially in the dying embers of the match, as was characterised by Martin Olsson\u2019s inspired block from a Marouane Chamakh shot as the Swede dived in front of the Moroccan\u2019s shot to prevent a certain goal.<\/p>\n
Olsson said: \u201cI didn\u2019t know what I was doing.<\/p>\n
“I just jumped in the way, tried to protect the goal and it\u2019s just good it didn\u2019t go in and I\u2019m happy with the point.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sweden international was also confident the side will stay in the Premier League next season, believing that this point will only strengthen the bond the players have.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u201cWe always had good spirit in the team and think we should today the commitment in the team and if we go on and play like this I think we can pick up some more points and stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olsson\u2019s captain shared the Swede\u2019s enthusiasm as Samba believes it\u2019s all down to them now, a situation he feels is a good one.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cSometimes you get a couple of decisions that go against you and sometimes a couple of surprises like today, but I\u2019m confident we can get some more points.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur next match is at home and it\u2019s all in our hands so it is really encouraging for the next game and we\u2019re ready for some more performances like this and we\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
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Original post:
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