Blackburn Rovers 0 Arsenal 2
In the early evening kick-off, Arsenal survived the controversial dismissal of Gilberto to beat Blackburn 2-0 at Ewood Park.
Captain Thierry Henry was the hero, a goal and an assist sealing the points.
The Gunners looked in trouble when Gilberto was sent off early on after Rovers’ Robbie Savage appeared to make a meal of a retaliatory leg sweep.
However, Arsene Wenger’s side dug deep and took the lead when an unmarked Kolo Toure headed in Henry’s free-kick.
The France striker all but sealed the points with a breathtaking second a typical run down the left seeing him exchange passes with Cesc Fabregas before firing home via the crossbar.