It could get fiery again for Gunners

BLACKBURN (ENGLAND) - THREE days after losing the League Cup to Chelsea, Arsenal could face another Cup heartache.

They play Blackburn Rovers in a FA Cup fifth-round replay today, with manager Arsene Wenger admitting his men face a big challenge.

On Sunday, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor were sent off for their part in a stoppage-time brawl during their 1-2 League Cup final loss.

And the prospect of another highly charged Cup tie could not have come at a worse time.

The teams' first meeting, a 0-0 draw, ended in acrimony at the Emirates Stadium.

Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas later clashed with Mark Hughes over his men's defensive approach and physical style of play.

Wenger has stuck by his policy of playing his younger squad members in the domestic cup competitions.

But the Frenchman admitted to being unsure of how to approach the Ewood Park clash.

He said: 'I cannot say now what team I will field at Blackburn.

'I just wish we did not have to do it, because it is certainly not a dream place for us to go.

'There is a danger when making changes. But I can say as well that I made eight or nine at Bolton in the last round, and it worked.

'Whatever happens, I know we will adapt. We have the squad to cope with it, but you never know how human beings will react.'

Fabregas insists there were plenty of positives to take from their Cardiff defeat.

The Spanish playmaker, who will be only 20 in May, and a team of youngsters almost overcame a full-strength Chelsea side.

He said: 'If I was in another team, I would be scared seeing all the young players from Arsenal.'

Perhaps, for they had beaten West Bromwich, Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham en route to the final.

'If we keep playing for three more years together, then we could do something really big for the club.

'We have shown great talent here. I am also young, and am just trying to do my best for the team.'

Hughes is hoping that his decision to rest Benni McCarthy last weekend will help fire Blackburn into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

His 15-goal leading scorer was on the substitutes' bench for the 3-0 Premiership win over Portsmouth.

Replacement Shabani Nonda took centre-stage with a two-goal display.

Hughes admitted that a heavy fixture list - they were ousted from the Uefa Cup only last week - had taken its toll on the South Africa.

But he will almost certainly recall McCarthy today.

He said: 'Benni needed a break. In recent weeks, just a little spark has maybe gone out of his game.

'The onus, goalscoring-wise, has fallen at his feet - and he has produced.

'But he is probably the only guy in the team we haven't been able to give a rest to.

'I thought it was the right time to give him a rest.'

The winners of the tie will host another Premiership side, Manchester City, in the last eight.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Blackburn v Arsenal
Live, Ch24, tomorrow, 3.55am

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