This is a meeting of two clubs who, for very different reasons, have to find some consistency quickly.

Not since Arsene Wenger took over in 1996 have Arsenal been this low in the table at such an advanced stage of the season. Wenger has always maintained that Champions League qualification is the minimum requirement, but they currently trail fourth-placed Chelsea by five points after a run of three defeats and a draw since the turn of the year.

“This game is equally crucial for Blackburn. They are back in the relegation zone and there is a gap opening up between the bottom five and the rest”

When you consider that Arsenal's next four league games after Saturday are against a rejuvenated Sunderland on Wearside, Tottenham at home, Liverpool at Anfield and Newcastle back at the Emirates, they simply can't afford to slip up against Blackburn.

Manager Steve Kean appeased the fans a little bit over the new year with victory at Manchester United and draws at Liverpool and Everton, but the supporters were walking out in droves after Newcastle went 2-0 up at Ewood Park in midweek.

Blackburn had 20-odd goal attempts in that game and I certainly think they would have scored if Yakubu, or indeed David Goodwillie, had been available. New signing Anthony Modeste looked lively but lacked composure in front of goal. Nonetheless, Blackburn have goals in them - as they proved by beating Arsenal 4-3 in the reverse fixture - and they have scored more than any other team outside the top five apart from the Gunners.

The suspended Yakubu isn't the only player Blackburn have been missing; Kean needs to get the transfer-listed Christopher Samba in the right frame of mind to play. The deadline-day signing of Bradley Orr at least gives the manager another defensive option.

Arsenal, of course, have also had more than their fair share of unavailable players this season. With Jack Wilshere a long-term casualty, much of Arsenal's creativity rests with Mikel Arteta. They surely can't keep relying on 25-goal leading scorer Robin van Persie to single-handedly keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish.

Head-to-head




• Arsenal had won seven successive home league games against Blackburn - scoring 25 goals - prior to their goalless draw last season.



• Blackburn's last won at the Gunners in October 2002, a 2-1 victory at Highbury. That was the last season in which Rovers won this fixture home and away.



Arsenal


• Arsenal have yet to win a league match in 2012, but they avoided their first four-match losing streak during Arsene Wenger's tenure by drawing at Bolton on Wednesday night.



• They are nine points and five places worse off than at the same stage last season.



• The Gunners have lost three matches from winning positions - the joint-worst record in the division with Wolves and West Brom.



• Robin van Persie has scored 19 league goals this season, including 18 in his last 18 appearances. He has a career-high eight league goals against Blackburn.



• If selected, Tomas Rosicky will be making his 150th Arsenal appearance. Johan Djourou awaits his 150th club career appearance.



Blackburn


• Blackburn are unbeaten in their last three away matches, having beaten Manchester United either side of draws with Liverpool and Everton.



• They are the only top-flight team yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Only Wigan have conceded more goals.



• Steve Kean's side have lost a league-high 14 points from winning positions.



• Rovers and Liverpool have failed to score the most penalties in the Premier League this season (3).