BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today warned his players to expect a backlash as Rovers attempt to become the latest team to put a dent in Arsenal's title aspirations.

Arsene Wenger's classy Gunners saw a magnificent 30-game unbeaten league run come shuddering to a halt at the hands of Everton last Saturday and their week then went from bad to worse as they lost at home to Auxerre in the Champions League.

However, Souness, who has ruled out Andy Cole, is far too experienced to get sucked in by all the talk of a mini crisis at Highbury, despite claims by a number of Wenger's top stars that they are currently suffering from exhaustion.

Instead, he expects the defending champions to come out with all guns blazing and he has prepared his players in readiness for an onslaught.

"There are two ways we can look at tomorrow's game," said Souness.

"Either they'll be down after losing two games on the bounce, or their tails are going to be up because they'll be desperate to put things right, and I know from experience exactly which Arsenal I expect to face.

"They've been on a great run and they'll be fired up to get back on the rails again as quickly as possible so we've got to be ready to cope with any backlash.

"Having said that, I still think it's a great time to be playing them because of what's happened over the last week or so.

"I've got a young team and going to Highbury is probably the biggest test they can face in the Premiership at the moment.

"It's got to be the toughest place in the country to go and get a result because they are currently the best team around.

"What makes them dangerous is they carry a threat all over the pitch.

"Not only are they great as a team, but they've also got some great individuals who can win you a game on their own.

Souness should be buoyed by the return Craig Short, but Andy Cole is still not ready to come back from his calf injury.

Jansen looks set to continue on the bench after stepping up his comeback in a behind-closed-doors game with Nottingham Forest in midweek.

"Matt did okay again but I wouldn't really judge anyone on reserve games," added Souness.

"It's going to take him a while to regain his sharpness so it could be a slow process and we'll have to be careful with him.

"But I thought he did well when he came on against Newcastle."

Rovers are expected to chose from: Friedel, Neill, Johansson, Taylor, Short, Berg, Flitcroft, Dunn, Tugay, Thompson, Gillespie, Yorke, Jansen, Grabbi, Ostenstad, Curtis, Kelly.