Blackburn 4 Arsenal 3

STEVE KEAN breathed a massive sigh of relief as Arsenal's miserable start to the season continued. A group of Blackburn fans staged a protest against the under-fire boss before kick-off but Kean was the man of the moment after masterminding a much-needed victory. The Gunners took the lead through Gervinho after just 10 minutes, only to be pegged back 15 minutes later when debutant Yakubu calmly flicked the ball beyond Wojciech Szczesny. Mikel Arteta opened his account to restore the lead for Arsene Wenger's men in the 34th minute and the visitors went into the break in firm conttrol. But Wenger looked on in horror as his fragile defence fell apart once again in the second half. Alex Song turned the ball into his own net five minutes after the restart and Yakubu doubled his tally just nine minutes later. That double blow rocked the visitors but Wenger's afternoon went from bad to worse when Laurent Koscielny netted a second own goal in the 68th minute. The Frenchman was given hope five minutes from time when substitute Marouane Chamakh pulled one back with a powerful header. But Per Mertesacker missed a golden opportunity to head the Gunners level and Paul Robinson was on hand to deny Robin van Persie to ensure there was no last-gasp comeback at Ewood Park. Arsenal could not have asked for a better start when Song's powerful run was followed by an inch-perfect ball for Gervinho to drill beyond Robinson despite the close attentions of Christopher Samba. Rovers refused to roll over and die but Samba was well off target when presented with a good chance from a free-kick. Arsenal's passing was slick and crisp at times and Andrey Arshavin brought a sprawling save out of Robinson with a sharp low shot from 20 yards. Gervinho then wasted two more chances to extend the lead and Rovers made them pay for it when Yakubu equalised. Arsenal had half-cleared the ball but Junior Hoilett produced an incisive pass to match Song's and Yakubu instinctively nudged it beyond Szczesny as he raced from goal. Samba's presence at set-plays continued to upset Arsenal and the centre-back again headed over after winning a corner. Nine minutes before the break saw a patient Arsenal build-up lead to a second goal when Aaron Ramsey surged into the box. Blackburn's defence appeared to be expecting a ball to Robin van Persie but the Welshman cut it back for Arteta to rifle into the roof of the net. Gervinho was wasteful again after good work by Arshavin, taking the shot when a pass to Van Persie would have given his skipper an open goal, but the Gunners were good value for their lead at half-time. Blackburn began the second half with added urgency and Arsenal looked rattled when Arshavin conceded a free-kick on the left of the area. And their fear was justified when Ruben Rochina floated in the set-piece which saw the ball bounce off Song's knee into the net. The unfortunate Song � comfortably the man of the match up until that point � could only look in disbelief as Rovers celebrated what proved to be a vital goal. Fired up by the equaliser, the hosts went on the offensive with Yakubu stunning Arsenal by putting the home side ahead for the first time. Hoilett's corner ended up at Steven Nzonzi's feet at the far post and he drove the ball across goal for Yakubu, who appeared to be offside, to stab home from close range. Van Persie glanced a corner wide of the post as Arsenal tried to respond but it was Blackburn who struck next courtesy of another own goal. Martin Olsson's pace destroyed Johan Djourou and he then nipped past Song before his cross was deflected in by Koscielny. Robinson tipped over Van Persie's header 15 minutes from time before Wenger threw caution to the wind, sending on Chamakh for Song. The Rovers keeper again saved with his fingertips from the Dutchman but had no chance when Chamakh planted a header into the top corner. Kean endured some nervous moments as the clock ticked down with Mertesacker directing his header off target and Van Persie drawing another good save from Robinson. Theo Walcott then has a late penalty claim waved away which left Kean with a massive smile on his face when the full-time whistle blew.