Carling Cup Quarter Final's ~{Recap of all matches}

[Freddy Adu]

A series of clever wall-passes with 18-year-old English debutant Mark Randall allowed Nicholas Bendtner to create space and float a pinpoint cross over Blackburn's static back line.

[Freddy Adu]

Lurking beyond, Abou Diaby coolly steered the ball high into the net past Brad Friedel.

[Freddy Adu]

Largely chasing shadows and with cries of 'ole' from the visiting Arsenal fans ringing in their ears, Rovers did eventually apply some pressure.

[Freddy Adu]

David Dunn's 18-yard piledriver forced Arsenal Lukasz Fabianski into a strong-armed save.

[Freddy Adu]

But Arsenal's swagger redoubled.

[Freddy Adu]

Taking up possession in midfield, Denilson exchanged passes with Randall and played a long, searching ball behind the Rovers defence.

[Freddy Adu]

Confused by Eduardo's run behind him, Samba missed a chance to cut out the ball allowing the Croatian striker to coolly slot past a furious Friedel.

[Freddy Adu]

Minutes before half-time Blackburn managed to pull a goal back.

[Freddy Adu]

Matt Derbyshire fired a dangerous ball across the area which the onrushing Roque Santa Cruz met with the outside of his right boot to give Blackburn hope.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would have cause to complain as Derbyshire looked a shade offside but Blackburn manager Mark Hughes must have been the one raging at half-time.

[Freddy Adu]

Santa Cruz scored two goals to bring Blackburn back into the match

[Freddy Adu]

His side duly came out fighting and with long-ball tactics bypassing Arsenal's mesmeric midfield, the Gunners started to look nervy.

[Freddy Adu]

On the hour, Bentley bent a vicious dead ball into the box for Santa Cruz to rise highest and draw Blackburn level - his fifth goal in two games.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal struggled to regain the initiative and Alexandre Song, at the centre of most of the rearguard action, made a hash of a clearance near his own goal with the ball deflecting to Matt Derbyshire who narrowly shot wide.

[Freddy Adu]

With both players pushing for victory, Roque Santa Cruz missed a glorious chance to put Blackburn through by swiping at the ball as it dropped inside the box.

[Freddy Adu]

Referee Mike Riley sent Denilson off in stoppage time for a dangerous two-footed challenge on David Dunn which triggered a melee between both teams.

[Freddy Adu]

The fast and furious pace relented in extra time with Blackburn just egding possession.

[Freddy Adu]

But just before the teams swapped ends, Arsenal centre back Song marched through the centre of the pitch to release Eduardo.

[Freddy Adu]

Holding of Ryan Nelsen's challenge, his first touch was immaculate, allowing him to race into the box and calmly stroke the ball past Friedel's outstreched palm to seal Arsenal's progress.

[Freddy Adu]

Blackburn: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (Khizanishvili 120), Bentley, Savage, Dunn (Mokoena 105), Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Derbyshire (McCarthy 90).

[Freddy Adu]

Subs Not Used: Brown, Roberts.

[Freddy Adu]

Booked: Warnock, Samba, Reid, Savage.

[Freddy Adu]

Goals: Santa Cruz 42, 60.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal: Fabianski, Justin Hoyte, Senderos, Song Billong, Traore, Randall (Barazite 80), Diaby, Denilson, Diarra, Eduardo (Gibbs 115), Bendtner, Barazite (Perez 100).

[Freddy Adu]

Subs Not Used: Mannone, Gavin Hoyte.

[Freddy Adu]

Sent Off: Denilson (90).

[Freddy Adu]

Booked: Randall, Denilson, Diarra, Eduardo.

[Freddy Adu]

Goals: Diaby 6, Eduardo 29, 104.

[Freddy Adu]

Att: 16,207

[Freddy Adu]

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).