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| Blackpool vs Arsenal |
Well that's a rude re-introduction to the Premier League for Arsenal backup backup backup goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Jack Wilshere tried to break up a threatening Blackpool attack by obliterating Luke Varney, but although he succeeded in flattening his man it made no difference to the overall move and the hosts surged forwards, with Lee Mason playing advantage. The Gunners' defence was stretched and the ball was threaded through to DJ Campbell, who was rather clumsily taken out by Lehmann. Instead of giving a penalty (and a sending off*), Mason elected to play on, and the ball broke loose to Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who took a couple of touches and threaded the ball into an empty net to halve the deficit.
Minutes later and Blackpool could have had another through a penalty as Laurent Koscielny felled Taylor-Fletcher in the area, but Mason was rather less competent in this instance and waved play on after what was a clear foul. They also should have scored after Jason Puncheon sent in an inviting cross minutes after that, but Kevin Southern rather messed that one up, so it remains Arsenal 2-1 Blackpool.
Sources: http://www.sbnation.com
