French connection takes lead from underdogs Rovers

This could have been a classic FA Cup clash when you look at the strength and depth of the Blackburn team: Friedel, Berg, Berkovic, McAteer, Flitcroft, Short, Hughes, Bjornebye, Hignett and Ostenstad are all good to reasonable (ex Premiership) players and they have combined this squad with the promising talents of Bent, Jansen and Dunn.

Impressive for at least 30 seconds, they came out all guns blazing, and within the opening minute put together a good passing move down the right flank. Jason McAteer emerged to gift Marcus Bent a great opportunity to put the Lancashire club ahead he missed.

As if sensing that we needed to conserve our energies (and nerves) for Wednesdays encounter against Bayern Munich, we responded to this opening scare by scoring instantly: The ever-improving Lauren pushed the ball out wide on the right to Pires, who found himself in acres of space, and put in a great low cross to Sylvain Wiltord. Hitting the ball low and hard Wiltord beat Brad Friedel easily at his left post. 1-0 to the Arsenal.

But we couldnt sing the famous Highbury anthem for long. The pressure ensued, first Friedel pulled off an incredible save from Bergkamp's audacious chip. And then seconds later Adams comfortably headed home Ashley Coles corner. 2-0 to the Arsenal.

Those two opening goals effectively killed off Blackburn Rovers FA Cup ambition and more surprisingly their spirits. To be sure of this, Robert Pires brilliantly controlled and converted Wiltords cross-field pass on 35 minutes. Thereafter Arsenal players and fans minds and motivations drifted elsewhere mainly to Germany.

Blackburn regrouped during the interval dispensing with their wing backs - which had left them so exposed in the first half - and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. Blackburns reformation was hardly necessary as Arsenal, understandably, concentrated on keep-ball, avoiding bookings and injuries, and maintaining a winning margin in cruise control.

Not a great second half spectacle, with the exception of some great runs from the irrepressible Ashley Cole, who sensed the watchful eye of the England manager and the threat to his position by fully fit Silvinho.

Uninspiring stuff, yes, but we can also take great stock: Adams survived a tough contest with Mark Hughes and Blackburns best player, Marcus Bent, whilst masterminding our 22nd clean sheet of the season; Henry and Viera were rested and are fully fit; Pires and Lauren are now showing their class with tireless displays of skill, control and speed on the break; Bergkamp (if he plays Wednesday) is approaching his mesmerising best; and Sylvain Wiltord has demonstrated that with dynamic and instinctive finishing he is a genuine alternative or foil to Thierry Henry.

The icing on the cake&we got the easier Semi-Final draw against Sp**rs, avoiding the dangerous Wycombe Wanderers!

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Cole, Grimandi, Luzhny, Ljungberg, Lauren, Pires, Bergkamp, and Wiltord.
Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis, Berg, Berkovic, Taylor, McAteer, Flitcroft, Dunn, Mahon, Hughes and Bent