Robert Pires struck three minutes before half-time but the France winger's goal was all that separated the sides until the 86th minute when Dutch substitute Robin van Perside netted before scoring again in stoppage time with a powerful shot.

The Gunners will now face the winners of Sunday's second semi-final between Newcastle and holders Manchester United on Saturday, May 21 when the final takes place at the Millennium Stadium for the last time before returning to Wembley next year.

Arsenal's win was proof that doggedness will only get you so far. Through determination and an occasionally brutal resolve, Blackburn thwarted the nine-times FA Cup winners for 42 minutes, with Brad Friedel making a series of fine saves, before the north London giants' greater class eventually told.

Even when they were only a goal behind, Blackburn never looked like getting back into the game and, at one point in the second half, Arsenal kept the ball for well over a minute, stringing together at least 40 passes in one move.

But Arsenal did not begin with such confidence or fluency.

Without Thierry Henry, the victim of a strained groin, this was very much a diminished Arsenal, reduced, at least until they had the lead, to playing in fits and starts.

Only occasionally in the first half Arsenal did sweep forward and it was not until the 38th minute that they managed their first serious effort as Dennis Bergkamp played in Jose Antonio Reyes.