Where Is Javier Mascherano?

Monday's much-anticipated El Clasico turned out to be a Barcelona goal fest. In other derbies, the embarrassment would have led to calls for the resignation or sacking of the manager in question. Jose Mourinho's status as a legend is secure so, naturally, this was not an option.

Still, amid the pre-match buzz a formerly high profile name went missing: Javier Mascherano. Since arriving from Liverpool the stalwart Argentine midfielder has been absent from the Barcelona lineup in most competitions. He is still alive, as his Nike spot suggests, but he has already been written off as surplus requirements at the Nou Camp.

Why pay 22 million quid for a bench warmer? Is he merely a bargaining chip for next summer's transfer window? Like Ibrahimovic, Mascherano could be another one season wonder whose legacy could easily be swallowed up in the next six months of la Liga action. Meanwhile, the South American hard man will likely ride the Barcelona pine towards a few league honors.

If Barcelona come for Cesc Fabregas again, Mascherano is a tempting cash plus player option. While Alex Song has been slightly more convincing this season he is by no means a midfielder of Claude Makele's class. Arsenal need trophies and Song could easily be written off as collateral damage to win a title. Moreover, time is not on Arsene Wenger's side as age and Arsenal's patience are working against him.

Surprisingly, Mascherano, whose transfer from Liverpool was notoriously hush hush, has stayed suspiciously silent despite is noticeable absence from the Blaugrana starting XI. A cynical observer could even suggest that his outcast status is mutually understood and consented.

Where is Javier Mascherano? For now, he is at Barcelona. But it is unlikely that he will retain the same address in August of 2011.

Arsenal Beat Blackburn 2-1

Arsenal and Blackburn have met 116 times in all competitions. Today’s match was not a test of talent as much as it was a battle of tactics. Meetings between Arsene Wenger and Sam Allardyce are regularly frustrating affairs as the Frenchman often struggles to beat his counterpart. While at Bolton, Allardyce utilized El-Hadj Diouf and Nicolas Anelka, to make trips to the Reebok Stadium a headache. In May Blackburn, with Allardyce at the helm, beat Arsenal 2-1.

The Gunners opened their account early when Theo Walcott finished a brilliant move. Walcott’s 20th minute strike, similar to his first goal against Blackpool, was Arsenal’s eighth in just three games. The impressive goals to games ratio could not hide their infamously porous defence that conceded goals in their last 10 league and cup away matches.

Blackburn responded with a 26th minute goal from M.B Diouf. Blackburn, devoid of perennial thorn Anelka, still put Arsenal to the test. The Gunners succumbed to El-Hadj Diouf’s speed on the width. The Senegal international breezed passed Koscielny and drew the ball back to the younger Diouf who obliged.

In the first half, Arsenal gave away more than the lead as Robin Van Persie came off with an ankle injury. The Holland international was replaced my Maroune Chamakh, a clear choice in Bendtner’s absence. The first half concluded with few fireworks and set the stage for an interesting second 45 minutes.

Andrei Arshavin clearly stated Arsenal’s intentions with his 50th minute goal off a Bacary Sagna cross. The Mad Russian’s strike settled the game and gave control to the men in red.

Blackburn rebuffed efforts from Walcott, Chamakh, and Arshavin. After falling behind again, Rovers could not eke out another goal. Sam Allardyce, as usual, had done his homework but Wenger’s side were clearly better on the day.

Man of the Match: Theo Walcott

Substitutions (In > Out):

Arsenal
Maroune Chamakh > Robin Van Persie (34)
Tomas Rosicky > Cesc Fabregas (68)
Wilshere > Arshavin (84)

Blackburn
David Dunne > Vincenzo Grella (56)
Martin Olsson > Nikola Klasnic (65)

Bookings:
Gael Givet (73)

Highlights: