No manager has been caught up more in club v country rows than Arsene Wenger of late, and a new battle is set to erupt as the England U21s look set to name their strongest squad possible and call up Jack Wilshere for the tournament in Denmark. The Arsenal boss knows the implications of these tournaments, given that he lost Theo Walcott for a large part of the season as a result of the player’s desire to represent his country.
In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories that includes Taylor hinting at Newcastle stay; Usmanov set to fail in Arsenal bid, while Warnock is set to head the list of player exits at Villa Park.
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Taylor hints at Newcastle stay – Sky Sports
Chris: I’ll quit over Sam axe – Sun
United sale ‘a long way down line’ – Daily Telegraph
Wilshere caught up in club v country row after Under 21 call riles Wenger – Daily Mail
Manchester United hope to pip Chelsea and City to Pepe – IM Scouting
David Dein ‘set to be named FA chairman’- Mirror
Warnock may head list of player exits – Guardian
Brooking’s 2018 vision – Daily Telegraph
Malouda tells Chelsea defenders to up their game – Daily Mail
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Platini on brink of second term at Uefa – Guardian
Balotelli: only Messi better than me – Daily Telegraph
Usmanov’s Arsenal bid looks set to fail – Guardian
Yesterday I wrote an article on three players Arsene Wenger should consider signing this winter, this one is simply the opposite – which three should be on their way out?
Arsenal do have a number of players within their squad, who are injury-prone, inconsistent, or just plain garbage. I posted a weekly poll on my site to see who the visitors think should leave this winter. There were 10 possible candidates (not implying that we need to sell all of them) on the list in which voters could select between one or all ten players, and surprisingly the results matched the three players that I think should be walking out of the Emirates this January. The players listed in this article were in my mind prior to the poll going up (I swear). Anyway, I await the barrage of horrible messages and abuse from the readers, here is my list:
Manuel Almunia
Do I really need to explain why he has to go? I think the nickname ‘Manure’ (given to him by the Arsenal fans) says it all really. The 33-year-old is not Arsenal material (never has been) and has not featured for the club since late September, and appears to be out of the Arsenal picture for Wenger and the fans. He has made countless mistakes last season and a few this one (when he’s played of course) and quite clearly Wenger has run out of patience with him. As a result, Lukasz Fabianski and even youngster Wojciech Szczesny have leapt ahead of Almunia in the pecking order. Simply put, Almunia is not what you would call a reliable set of hands between the posts and has dropped to third choice goalkeeper very rapidly. We have two better goalkeepers in our ranks and because of this the Spaniard should be sold this winter…even if it’s for a small fee.
Denilson
The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder has shown that he is not capable of performing at the highest level and here are my reasons for saying this. When in possession of the ball, he seems to have a liking of looking back instead of forward. I will admit his distribution of the ball is exceptional and the Brazilian has been known to belt in a few goals for the Gunners. However, he is a very inconsistent performer, and has a very poor reading of the game in general. His defensive attributes are abysmal and has shown he is unable to keep up with the pace of the game at times. On several occasions this season Denilson has looked very flat-footed and has lost possession of the ball very cheaply (have a look at the games he has played in so far, and you will get what I’m saying). We have better options available, and with the introduction of Jack Wilshere, who has impressed, Denilson’s chances have been damaged even further. Many fans may believe that he is capable of cementing a place in the Arsenal line-up. However, after witnessing recent events it’s about time the player looked for another club…of course this is just my opinion.
Nicklas Bendtner
It was either him or Carlos Vela, but I believe the Mexican has more to offer than the Dane. Nicklas Bendtner claims to be the next best thing since sliced bread, when quite frankly he isn’t. The 22-year-old has demanded more regular starts as he feels he deserves a place in the Arsenal starting XI, but with poor and inconsistent performances the Danish international deserves to be shown the exit doors at the Emirates. I’m not saying the guy is useless, because he does have some good attributes, but the truth is he is not lethal enough. As well as that, Bendtner has to somehow try and get ahead of Marouane Chamakh who is on form and Robin Van Persie, who is looking sharp on his return from injury…its not going to happen is it? Wenger, sell him to one of the clubs who are interested in him, make a profit and then spend it on a much more valuable asset in the near future.
Voters were allowed to tick all ten players if they wanted to, hence the confusing percentages you are about to see. At the time of writing this there were a total of 45 voters (yeah, I know it’s not a lot) who took part in the poll. Results showed that there were 38 ticks for Manuel Almunia who topped the list with 84%, Nicklas Bendtner was second with 29 ticks (64%) and Denilson came in third place with 25 ticks (56%). If you would like to see the full table of results, check out the site Gunnersphere.com.
Read more Arsenal blogs at the excellent Gunnersphere website
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2010 has been a mixed year for Manchester United. At the turn of the year, Manchester United looked favorites for the Premier League title, but Chelsea’s win at Old Trafford in April effectively sealed the title for the West London club. By the end of 2010 Manchester United remain unbeaten in the league since that game and are top of the table. However, there are still question marks being raised against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, and who would bet against Ferguson proving everybody wrong again. Here at Football Fan Cast, we have put together 10 things that 2010 has taught us about Manchester United. Read, enjoy and join in the debate below.
Strength of character
This Manchester United squad may not have the same quality of a few years ago, but the spirit and character of the players can’t be called into question. Time after time in 2010, Manchester United have taken knocks but have managed to stand up to them. A classic example was the comeback at Villa Park in November. It took a lot for United to come back that day, seasons hinge on moments like that. By May, that could be the most important point of the season for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
Nemanja Vidic has been captain marvel
It was a very brave decision from Sir Alex Ferguson to drop both Gary Neville and Rio Ferdiand in place of Nemanja Vidic as Manchester United captain, but what an extremely wise decision it has been. Vidic has been superb all season; playing with a new responsibility that has improved his game – if that was possible. The United captain has been a rock at the heart of the defence so far this season, and Manchester United fans are starting to witness the passion the Serb has for Manchester United.
Rafael looks set to be a Manchester right back for years to come
The development of young Rafael Da Silva has been a testament to the Manchester United coaching system and Sir Alex Ferguson’s man management skills. The young defender could easily have blamed himself for Manchester United’s quarter final exit of the 2009/2010 Champions League, but he got back up and has played himself back into the squad. However, he has done more than that. He has been an ever present this season, he has developed going forward and is a much better defender now. The Brazilian has allowed Manchester United to have a solid back five for most of the season – a key reason why Manchester United have remained undefeated this season.
Nani is ready to be a world beater
Finally the penny has dropped with Nani. The Portuguese winger is a fantastic talent and is now starting to show his worth to the Manchester United team. He is without doubt their best chance of winning the Premier League this season, if his form continues, Manchester United may have also have European success. Nani has added both goals and assists to his game this season, no longer is he the frustrating winger who can’t cross the ball. It is good to see Nani pulling out of the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo.
What is the point of Dimitar Berbatov?
The man for the…. small occasion. Why pay a club £30m for a player that is not trusted to play in the big games of a season. Dimitar Berbatov’s form this season has been excellent, but who has he scored his goals against? The vast majority have been netted against teams in the bottom half of the table. His performance’s against Manchester City and Aston Villa were diabolical, and if he hasn’t the drive to play well in these games, what is the point in having him? Coming off the back of goalscoring form, Sir Alex Ferguson picked Wayne Rooney ahead of Berbatov for the clash with Arsenal. No doubt he will do this when Chelsea and Manchester City come to Old Trafford.
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Continued on Page TWO
Manchester United have lost the fear factor
Having thrown away points against Fulham, Everton, Bolton and West Brom in the Premier League and Rangers in the Champions League are clubs now finding it easier to play against Manchester United. In all of these games, the defensive unit has looked fragile (not the back four but the whole team) and Manchester United could have had the title sown up by now. The reality is the Manchester United squad isn’t as good as it once was, and Wayne Rooney was not in any form during these games. Maybe with Rooney on form, teams will be less inclined to attack Manchester United?
Manchester United MUST replace Edwin van der Sar with a top quality goalkeeper
Over the past year, Thomas Kuszczak has proven himself incapable of holding down the Manchester United’s number one jersey. The Pole is a decwent under study but no way should Sir Alex Ferguson install him as van der Sar’s replacement. He looks nervous playing in front of huge crowds, and very suspect when dealing with crosses. Manchester United need to invest in a top quality goalkeeper if they are to have a smooth transition after van der Sar.
Champions League success is not beyond this squad
If Manchester United had held on against Bayern Munich who knows what could have happened. They would have had a relatively easy semi final against Lyon and would have been expected to challenge in a third Champions League final in a row. However, it didn’t happen, but this squad is not a million miles away from another final. The squad knows how to win away European matches, something that is vital. Old Trafford is still on the the hardest places to come and get a victory so added together there is no reason why Manchester United will not challenge in 2011.
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Manchester United need Wayne Rooney to fire
Manchester United have got away with Wayne Rooney’s form being off during the first part of the 2010 season but it can’t happen again if Manchester United are to challenge for success in 2011. All through 2010, we were waiting for the goals to dry up for Rooney, and until that Champions League clash with Bayern Munich it didn’t look like they would dry up. Manchester United need Rooney to fire if they are to be successful on all fronts. They do not have a striker that can score in the biggest of games and Rooney’s all round play scares the life out of defenders. 2010 was a mixed year for Rooney and Manchester United – if Rooney hadn’t got injured in Munich who knows how successful 2010 could have been.
Antonio Valencia is the most underrated player in the Premier League
Look what happens when Wayne Rooney finds a team mate who can consistently put a ball on his head – he scores ten headed goals. Valencia is by no means a one trick pony. He has blistering pace, trickery as well as all the skills of a combative central midfielder. Valencia came to Manchester United as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo and it took time for Manchester United fans to see what Valencia was about. However, he has is growing into a real star for Manchester United, and his return in 2011 will no doubt please Manchester United fans, Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney.
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Brisbane Roar moved one step closer to securing the A-League Premier’s Plate after a 2-1 win over Melbourne Heart on Saturday.
The Roar could have wrapped up the minor premiership if it were not for Adelaide’s 2-1 home loss against the Central Coast Mariners, also on Saturday, but Ange Postecoglou’s side will finish the season on top if the Mariners fail to beat the Melbourne Heart on Friday.
Even if the Mariners do win in Melbourne, all the Roar will need is a point from their clash with North Queensland on February 5 to finish the season atop the table, while Saturday’s win has already secured their spot in the 2012/2013 Asian Champions League.
The records keep coming for Postecoglou’s all-conquering side, as the Roar extended their unbeaten record to 23 matches, breaking a domestic football record in Australia set in 1987 by APIA Leichhardt.
Brisbane’s attempt to break the record started brilliantly when Costa Rican under-20 international Jean Carlos Solorzano notched his 11th strike of the season after just five minutes.
Solorzano’s pace took him away from Heart captain Simon Colosimo before he delivered a quality finish which takes him to second on the league’s scoring charts, equal with Central Coast’s Matt Simon on 11.
In-form James Meyer gave the Roar a two-goal advantage after 63 minutes with his fourth goal in three games in his first A-League start for the club and despite Gerald Sibon’s 75th minute consolation, Brisbane hung on for all three points.
In the day’s other matches, the Central Coast Mariners all but secured second spot on the table with a 2-1 away win at Adelaide United.
A sensational first-half set up the victory, with Patricio Perez and Joshua Rose getting on the scoresheet as the Mariners put on a clinic.
Travis Dodd gave Adelaide a late chance of an unlikely draw with his injury time equaliser, but the Mariners claimed a well-deserved three points.
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Sydney FC kept their fledgling finals hopes alive with a 2-0 away win against the Perth Glory, set up by goals to Nick Carle and Bruno Cazarine.
The win gives Sydney FC, the reigning champion, a chance of making the finals with the Sky Blues ninth on the A-League table, just four points behind the sixth-placed Melbourne Heart.
With the top six featuring in the finals, Sydney will be hoping to make use of their game in hand on the Heart and continue their unbeaten run in 2011.
Sir Alex Ferguson lamented some poor defending from set pieces on Saturday as his side’s 2-1 loss to Wolves ended a 29-game unbeaten streak.
Wolves responded well after going a goal down to a Nani strike early on, and goals from George Elokobi and Kevin Doyle handed them a memorable victory, although they remain at the bottom of the English Premier League on goal difference.
Ferguson said that while he was disappointed to see his men suffer their first league loss of the season, he was proud of the way his side had been playing.
“I’m disappointed obviously, it’s been a long run for us,” Ferguson told ESPN.
“The players have done us all proud; we can be pleased with that part, but today in the second half we didn’t really get going.”
“The consistency that we’ve shown over the past two months has been terrific so today was a big disappointment.”
“I’ve said that before the game, and it stands strong again after the game. They are a handful on set-pieces as they proved today, and it’s cost us the game.”
Ferguson also revealed that central defender Rio Ferguson had strained a calf during the warm-up for the game and will be sidelined for ‘a couple of weeks’.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, meanwhile, was delighted to have picked up three points and is hoping to use the shock result as a springboard to lift his side out of the drop zone, targeting greater consistency in the final third of the season.
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“We are in this position because whilst we have beaten some of the top teams, we have been bobbins against those around us. West Ham, Wigan, Blackpool – they have all taken points from us,” McCarthy said.
“It is all right lounging around and basking in the sunny day of beating Manchester United, we have to do it against other teams and do damage to them to make sure we preserve our Premier League status.”
With 11 league games left, Mick McCarthy and Ian Holloway know how vital Saturday’s match at Molineux is to both clubs.Wolves are bottom of the table on 25 points with a poor record against their fellow relegation strugglers.Blackpool, meanwhile, are 12th with 32 points having collected an impressive five away wins this season, one more than at Bloomfield Road.Wolves have little margin for error remaining as they prepare to meet a Blackpool side whose survival nerves were eased considerably by their emphatic 3-1 defeat of Spurs.Skipper Karl Henry knows full well the importance of the Molineux showdown and has warned the Tangerines to be aware of more surprises in store from set-pieces in the survival run-in.Henry played an integral role in Jamie O’Hara’s super strike at The Hawthorns from a free-kick that caught out Albion and earned Wolves a point.Henry was responsible for organising the manoeuvre that ended with O’Hara scoring his first goal for the club ? and the midfielder says there are more tricks up the Midlands side’s sleeve which could bring precious reward in the battle for points.”We are always looking to try something a bit different and I did explain to Jamie how the free-kick worked,” Henry told the Wolverhampton Express and Star.”In recent weeks when we’ve had free-kicks around the box we’ve maybe not been creative enough but we have got some in our locker.”Henry will be hoping for more surprises against Blackpool whose shock defeat of top-four challengers Spurs dampened Wolves’ hopes of a double dividend at Molineux ? a victory that would drag their opponents deep into relegation trouble.But it has not changed the importance of a Wolves win which Henry accepts, saying: “Blackpool play a very open game and in doing so it might be that there are gaps at the back which we have to capitalise on, especially when we are playing at home.””We need to force the issue and be on the front foot. We need to start the game quickly like we did at West Brom.””We need to produce the same sort of start against Blackpool and try and gain the initiative as early as possible.” Blackpool skipper Charlie Adam will miss the next two games after picking up his 10th booking of the season for a late foul on Spurs defender Michael Dawson.But Holloway put aside Adam’s absence to lavish praise on veteran striker Brett Ormerod who became the first Blackpool player to score in all four divisions when he scored the third against Spurs.Ormerod, 34, has been at the club for 14 years, an achievement that has impressed Holloway.”I don’t think there’s a player that I’ve ever managed that I’m prouder of or more pleased for than Brett Ormerod,” Holloway said.”He’s fantastic and he’s a credit to everybody, I’m delighted for him, it’s a monkey off his back, nobody else has ever done it and I don’t think anybody else ever will.” The Tangerines’ boss also suggested that his policy of rotation was working and that impressive performances for the reserves would be rewarded with first team opportunities.”If you play well in my reserves and score in my reserves then I’m going to put you in my first team,” he said.”My other lads have got to look at that and use it as an incentive to get in the side because if they do play well then they will get an opportunity, the reserves are playing again tonight and I’ll be watching that ahead of Saturday’s game.””The result (against Spurs) sets us up well for the final push, the points that we’ve amassed now would have kept us up last season and this year is a lot tougher.”
Barcelona will seek an immediate return to winning ways in La Liga after suffering just their third defeat of the season against Arsenal.
The Spanish champions went down 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie.
The league leaders also dropped two points last week in a 1-1 draw away to Sporting Gijon, allowing Real Madrid to close the gap to five points at the top of La Liga.
By Barca’s own remarkably high standards, one draw and one defeat is more than a minor stumble and if they falter again at home to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Real could be back to within two points.
Barca are undefeated at home since September last year, but Bilbao have more reason for confidence than most teams ahead of their visit to the Camp Nou.
The Basque outfit went unbeaten over two legs of a Copa del Rey meeting with Barca earlier in the season, drawing 0-0 away and 1-1 at home to lose out on the away goals rule.
Joaquin Caparros’ side lost 1-0 away to Mallorca in their last league match, but had previously won three consecutive games and sit fifth in the table.
Real, meanwhile, have the opportunity to put Barca under pressure when they play a day earlier at home to Levante.
Jose Mourinho’s side battled to a 1-0 win over Espanyol in their last outing, despite being reduced to 10 men in the first two minutes at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat.
Also on Saturday, third-placed Valencia host Sporting Gijon at the Mestalla and struggling Real Zaragoza are at home to mid-table Atletico Madrid.
In Sunday’s other matches, bottom side Malaga have a daunting trip to fourth-placed Villarreal, while fellow strugglers Almeria – second-last in 19th place – are at home to Deportivo La Coruna.
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Osasuna must beat sixth-placed Espanyol away from home if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.
Getafe will expect to pick up maximum points from their home match against Racing Santander and Sevilla are also favourites to come out on top when promoted Hercules visit the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
In Monday’s match, ninth-placed Real Sociedad play host to Mallorca, who are 10th.
The biggest deal that the Premier League has seen for years was Fernando Torres’ £50 million move in January from Liverpool to Chelsea. With the Premier League champions looking to reinvigorate their title hopes, they turned to the Spaniard and David Luiz to do just that. With Didier Drogba past his best and Nicolas Anelka struggling to find form consistently, Fernando Torres was seen as the man to fire the Blues back to the top of the Premier League table, but it hasn’t quite worked out like that.
In the half dozen or so games that Torres has played since he moved to Stamford Bridge he has failed to find the back of the net for Chelsea. While manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that he’s happy with the striker, it must be concerning the Italian that Torres has yet to score in a Chelsea shirt. The Spaniard has continued his patchy form that he displayed in the first half of the season for Liverpool and back in the 2010 World Cup for Spain and is nowhere near reaching the heights he’s previously set for himself.
With Fernando Torres’ goal drought continuing, the Spaniard is 12/1 for a Premier League blank for Chelsea. Torres is 12/1 with bet365 not to score a Premier League goal for Chelsea this season and even money to notch less than four goals. bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth says “Ancelotti is talking about it being just a matter of time before Torres ends his drought, but the only requests we’re getting are for the Spaniard’s barren run to continue until the end of the season.”
So is it unthinkable that Torres won’t find the net again this season? The longer his goal drought continues the harder it will become to score and the more pressure that he will be under. However, strikers of his quality are sure to break their duck eventually, just look at Tottenham star Jermain Defoe’s brace against Wolves last weekend. As soon as the first goal comes he might just hit his stride and have a fantastic end to the season, and it still isn’t out of the question that he can’t fire Chelsea to the Premier League title – you can get odds of 7/1 on that!
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%image% Spain virtually secured their place at the Euro 2012 finals with a 3-1 win over Lithuania in Group I on Tuesday. The world champions maintained their 100 per cent record with their fifth win but they did not have it all their own way.
Xavi’s deflected shot opened the scoring, before Marius Stankevicius levelled for the home side, but an own goal from Tadas Kijanskas and a strike from Juan Mata helped Vicente del Bosque’s side into a commanding position in Group I.
The first 20 minutes belonged to the world champions, and it was no surprise when they broke the resistance of the hosts.
Villa, looking lively after his double on Friday against the Czech Republic, combined with his Barcelona teammate Xavi, and the midfielder’s shot looped off the body of Andrius Skerla and flew into the net.
But the hosts struck a stunning equaliser on 57 minutes.
Indecisive defending from Raul Albiol saw the ball loop into the area, and Valencia’s Marius Stankevicius launched an unstoppable low shot that flew past Iker Casillas and into the corner. Just as Lithuania began to asset their authority, Spain regained the lead.
Xavi’s through pass found Juan Mata on the left, and his ball across the area looked for Llorente, but instead found the shin of the unfortunate Kijanskas, with his clearance flying into his own net.
The tournament holders sealed the win thanks to the move of the match. Xavi and Silva combined to play in Mata, and he calmly rolled the ball into the net.
The Czech Republic recorded their third victory with a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Veteran striker Milan Baros opened the scoring after three minutes when he produced a convincing finish after being played through by captain Tomas Rosicky.
It was the Galatasaray striker’s 39th international goal.
Coming into the game having lost all of their qualifiers for next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine, Liechtenstein were fortunate to be only 1-0 down at the break after the Czech Republic’s Jan Moravek saw his powerful close-range shot rebound off the bar.
But the Czechs did manage to add to their slender lead with 20 minutes remaining when defender Michal Kadlec rose highest in the penalty area to head home.
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made a dramatic return for Arsenal as the Gunners took all three points in a thrilling clash at Blackpool on Sunday.The German veteran was drafted in for his 200th appearance for the club after Manuel Almunia injured a knee in the warm-up at Bloomfield Road.
And the 41-year-old played his part to help his side to a crucial 3-1 victory that cuts Manchester United’s lead at the top of the English Premier League to seven points.
The Gunners scored a quick-fire double midway through the first half through Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue.
But they had to survive a brilliant fightback from Blackpool, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s goal early in the second half sparking a revival.
Lehmann was forced to make several crucial saves before striker Robin van Persie killed Blackpool off with Arsenal’s third goal in the 77th minute.
The defeat leaves Blackpool a point above the drop zone and grateful that the teams below them all lost on Saturday.
Ian Holloway’s men had started energetically and pushed for an opener without seriously testing Lehmann, with Arsenal’s defence coping with Charlie Adam’s dangerous set pieces.
And they were stung when the Gunners took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute, when van Persie broke the offside trap and squared to Diaby for a simple tap-in from six yards.
The second followed three minutes later, when Arsenal’s slick passing cut through the Blackpool defence for Eboue to finish convincingly past Richard Kingson.
Arsenal looked like they might run riot with Samir Nasri missing two golden chances. First, he fired straight at Kingson from 10 yards before moments later hitting the post from van Persie’s clever pass.
But after spurning another hatful of good chances, Arsenal were given a warning before the break when Blackpool striker DJ Campbell just failed to squeeze the ball over the line from two yards.
And the Tangerines did get the breakthrough seven minutes after the restart when Campbell was brought down rounding Lehmann, but referee Lee Mason waved play on and Taylor-Fletcher put the ball in the back of the net.
Mason elected not to sanction Lehmann for the challenge on Campbell, with Arsenal without a goalkeeper among the substitutes should the referee have shown the German a straight red card.
Taylor-Fletcher then had a penalty claim turned away after a scything tackle from Laurent Koscielny before Adam failed to connect with a near-post header.
But Arsenal survived the Blackpool onslaught and finally got a third when substitute Theo Walcott raced onto a long ball out of defence and crossed for van Persie for another simple finish.
Even then, Blackpool refused to give up, and Lehmann was called on to make another fine save from Campbell.