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Blackpool fans will get to enjoy Premier League match time when the Seasiders host Arsenal in match week 32 on Saturday, April 9, in the second of a two-legged contest.
The first, hosted by Arsenal on August 21, 2010, ended 6- in the hosts' favour. Blackpool had begun their 1st Premier League brilliantly with a resounding win over Wigan on the opening day. They had been brought down to earth with a thud when Theo Walcott's hat-trick fired Arsenal to a 6- demolition of the Seasiders.
The Tangerines' ramshackle defence was exposed brutally and Crainey in particular bore the brunt of Walcott's brilliance. But even although Walcott was taken off, it brought no relief to Ian Holloway's wards. With the Gunners leading five-, in walked Fabregas and van Persie, on the hour.
In the absence of Fabregas and Nasri, Rosicky manned the midfield to excellent effect. Chamakh linked brilliantly with the forwards to ensure that Blackpool did not get any relief.
Blackpool also had a couple of chances to Taylor-Fletcher and Vaughan, but barring those stray instances, they were totally outclassed and given a rude introduction to how harsh the top flight of English football can be, especially to minnow teams creating their debut.
Head to head, Arsenal have beaten Blackpool in the only league game that has been played among the sides.
In their last 10 league games, Blackpool haven't registered a single win, although drawing two and losing the remainder. Arsenal have won and drawn 5 each of their last 10. Of their 14 residence games this season, Blackpool have won four, drawn three and lost 7, while Arsenal have won 7 of their 14 games on the road, when losing two and drawing the remaining 5.
In match week 31, Blackpool lost three- away at Fulham, whilst Arsenal had been involved in a goalless draw at residence against Blackburn.
From mid-table comfort for significantly of the early portion of the season, Blackpool have slid to 17th location, one shy of the relegation mine. Their ricketty defence is likely to obtain the Arsenal attack a bit too strong for comfort, in spite of their household benefit at Bloomfield Road, a destination visiting teams are unlikely to acquire rather as hospitable as most other grounds, about England.
Blackpool's beginning eleven against Fulham had the following players: Kingson, Baptiste, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey, Grandin, Adam, Vaughan, Oremerod, Beattie and Taylor-Fletcher. Varney, Komilenko and Puncheon had been utilised as substitutes.
Arsenal had the following men in their starting eleven against Blackburn: Almunia, Sagna, Squillaci, Koscielny, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Walcott, Nasri, Arshavin and van Persie. Chamakh, Bendtner and Fabregas played as substitutes.
