The visitors started sensationally and took a 2-0 lead through
Abou Diaby's volley and Eduardo's low finish.
Blackburn rallied with Roque Santa Cruz stabbing home then heading
an equaliser before Denilson saw red for a crude challenge just
before full-time.
Eduardo slotted the winner in extra time for a tired but jubilant
Arsenal.
Much was made before the match about whether Blackburn's tough
tackling could disrupt Arsenal's potent passing rhythms.
But in the first half, an experienced Rovers side never got the
chance against an Arsenal team with an average age of 21.
Arsene Wenger's 'reserves' came out of the blocks fast to take the
lead within five minutes.
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.
Lurking beyond, Abou Diaby coolly steered the ball high into the
net past Brad Friedel.
Largely chasing shadows and with cries of 'ole' from the visiting
Arsenal fans ringing in their ears, Rovers did eventually apply
some pressure.
David Dunn's 18-yard piledriver forced Arsenal Lukasz Fabianski
into a strong-armed save.
But Arsenal's swagger redoubled.
Taking up possession in midfield, Denilson exchanged passes with
Randall and played a long, searching ball behind the Rovers
defence.
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.
Minutes before half-time Blackburn managed to pull a goal
back.
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.
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.
Santa Cruz scored two goals to bring Blackburn back into the
match
His side duly came out fighting and with long-ball tactics
bypassing Arsenal's mesmeric midfield, the Gunners started to look
nervy.
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.
Arsenal struggled to regain the initiative and 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.
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.
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.
The fast and furious pace relented in extra time with Blackburn
just egding possession.
Just before the teams swapped ends, Arsenal centre back Song
marched through the centre of the pitch to release Eduardo.
Holding of Ryan Nelsen's challenge, his first touch was
immmaculate, allowing him to race into the box and calmly stroke
the ball past Friedel's outstreched palm into the corner.
Blackburn: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock (Khizanishvili
120), Bentley, Savage, Dunn (Mokoena 105), Pedersen, Santa Cruz,
Derbyshire (McCarthy 90).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Roberts.
Booked: Warnock, Samba, Reid, Savage.
Goals: Santa Cruz 42, 60.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Justin Hoyte, Senderos, Song Billong, Traore,
Randall (Barazite 80), Diaby, Denilson, Diarra, Eduardo (Gibbs
115), Bendtner, Barazite (Perez 100).
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Gavin Hoyte.
Sent Off: Denilson (90).
Booked: Randall, Denilson, Diarra, Eduardo.
Goals: Diaby 6, Eduardo 29, 104.
Att: 16,207
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
