Sam Allardyce admitted that he didn't want the first half to end as Rovers certainly put up a fight against Arsenal at Ewood Park, but ultimately ended up on the losing side 2-1.

Mame Biram Diouf's first Premier League goal for Rovers cancelled out Theo Walcott's opener, and in a pulsating first half the home side had Arsene Wenger's expensively assembled side on the back foot.

But half time came at the wrong time for Rovers as they never quite hit those heights in the second period as Andrey Arshavin grabbing what proved to be the winner on 51 minutes.

Speaking after the game to Radio Rovers, Allardyce was once again pleased with the display shown, but like Birmingham seven days earlier, dismayed that they have no points to show for their endeavours.

"I think the first half performance was as good as we've seen against one of the big boys," said the Rovers boss.

"Because not only did we create lots of chances, there were period of times where we looked better than Arsenal in terms of attacking form.

"We worked very hard on a game plan about Arsenal holding a high line and playing ball down the sides and in behind which was evident that we were getting success there and we should have capitalised on it more.

"As always if you don't punish the opposition when you are in full flow, and get the goals that you create from those chances then a team like Arsenal can punish you.

"After a scare when the shot hit Vince and came off Paul Robinson, they punished us with the first goal with an outstanding ball and an outstanding finish and there lies the difference between us and them really.

"Our creative side of our game was good, Diouf's goal was fantastic, Diouf to Diouf and after that we had chances to get in the lead to get what I felt we deserved at half time.

"You cannot rest with Arsenal and we had enough men behind the ball but we didn't get tight enough to stop them using the pace that they have got.

"From then it was nip and tuck but we didn't create as much in the second half as we did in the first but you can't expect to be creating all the time against Arsenal.

"On the balance of play we should have a point today, but we haven't. There aren't many I can point the finger at and say you haven't played so well.

"The disappointing thing is that we haven't got a result from what was a pretty good performance against one of the top sides in the league."