The Russian international put in easily his best display in an Arsenal shirt since his January arrival, making Rovers suffer at the Emirates.

Arshavin probably won't be credited with the opening goal after two minutes, his effort appeared to be heading wide until diverted into his own net by a helpless Andre Ooijer.

But there was no mistaking the scorer of the second when the former Zenit St Petersburg man fired home from a tight angle just past the hour mark.

Morten Gamst Pedersen tested Manuel Almunia on occasions, but it was Paul Robinson who was the busier of the two 'keepers throughout.

Nicklas Bendtner missed a hatful of chances, but late sub Emmanuel Eboue didn't converting two minutes from time after Arshavin's shot was saved, before the Ivorean converted from the spot with a late penalty.

The defeat doesn't hurt Rovers in terms of league placings as they remain 15th in the table, but that goals against column doesn't make good reading once again.

Sam Allardyce made three changes from the side that defeated Fulham on Wednesday night, missing the match against the Gunners was Rovers' captain Ryan Nelsen who picked up a thigh strain in the win at Craven Cottage. His place in the centre of defence was taken by Andre Ooijer, with Danny Simpson coming in at right back.

The other two changes were in midfield with Keith Andrews and Tugay dropping to the bench. Zurab Khizanishvili and Aaron Mokoena making their first league starts under Sam Allardyce.

In a carbon copy of Wednesday evening, Rovers found themselves a goal own after just two minutes. Alex Song beat the Rovers' offside trap down the right, Theo Walcott took over and his near post cross was somehow bundled home. Andrey Arshavin connected when sliding in, but the ball was going wide until it hit the unfortunate Andre Ooijer and rolled into the back of the net.

To make matters worse for Rovers, defender Gaël Givet, who had been a doubt for the game with a knee injury, had to be replaced after just thirteen minutes. David Dunn coming on with Stephen Warnock moving to left back.

El-Hadji Diouf was fortunate to stay on the pitch, when in attempting to close down a kick from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia he caught the Spaniard late on the shin, referee Phil Dowd only showing the Senegal international a yellow card.

Just before the half hour came Rovers' first chance at goal. A long throw from Pedersen into the area was kept alive on the right, Jason Roberts hit the ball back across the area, to where Pedersen rose high to head goalwards, the ball seemed to be heading towards the top corner until Almunia tipped the ball over.

Zurab Khizanishvili and Aaron Mokoena were both carded in quick succession, and from the resulting free-kick Sami Nasri saw his fiercely struck effort crash off the crossbar and away.

Moments later and Bendtner controlled on his chest for Nasri to shoot but Paul Robinson stood strong to block the shot.

But at the other end Rovers had claims for a handball waved away when Dunn crossed from the byline, the ball appeared to strike the arm of Djourou, but Rovers only reward was a corner kick. From the corner Aaron Mokoena fired over the bar.

Manuel Almunia tried to exact revenge on El-Hadji Diouf as Rovers prepared to take a corner kick. The Arsenal stopper elbowed Diouf in the back, then thrust his head towards the Rovers man. Referee Phil Dowd gave the pair a talking to, but no cards were issued.

On the stroke of half time Rovers had their best chance in grabbing an equaliser, Danny Simpson's ball in from the right found Morten Gamst Pedersen through on goal, he controlled the ball on his chest but he couldn't get his shot away as he went to ground.

Arsenal started the second half as if they'd been given a flea in their collective ears at half-time. Seconds after the restart Theo Walcott burst through from the right to shoot past Robinson, but it was well, well, wide. Moments later a similar chance fell to Nicklas Bendtner, but he too fired well wide of goal.

Paul Robinson then made a superb one-handed save to deny Walcott after Chris Samba had blocked Bendtner's shot as the home side continued to threaten.

Matters were made worse for Rovers when Stephen Warnock had to be replaced. The Rovers man, who had the captain's armband, was replaced by Martin Olsson.

Nicklas Bendtner continued to waste chances for the home side, heading wide a cross from the left from Arshavin, then when put through on goal, Paul Robinson stood to block with his legs.

But the impressive Andrey Arshavin didn't waste his opportunity on 66 minutes. Midfielder Denilson spread the ball out to the left to the former Zenit man, but as Danny Simpson backed off Arshavin took full advantage firing the ball high into the roof of the net.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was Rovers' most likely goal threat, but he saw his low free-kick saved by Almunia, but that was a rare chance for the visitors as Arsenal continued to search for more goals.

The hapless Bendtner continued to frustrate in front of goal, blazing over when well placed 11 minutes from time,

But with two minutes to go Arshavin was again the instigator for the Gunners, the Russian saw his effort saved by Robinson, but he was unable to stop substitute Emmanuel Eboue from following in to make it three.

To add insult to injury a fourth was added deep into injury-time when Martin Olsson was adjudged to have fouled Carlos Vela in the area. Eboue stepped up and converted.

The two late goals gave the scoreline a heavy look, but in truth Bendtner missed an equal number of chances. Thankfully results elsewhere went in Rovers' favour.

ARSENAL: Almunia, Sagna, Toure (c), Nasri (sub Eboue 83 mins), Walcott (sub Diaby 80 mins), Denilson, Song, Djourou, Clichy, Arshavin, Bendtner (sub Vela 80 mins).

Subs not used: Fabianski (GK), Gallas, van Persie, Gibbs.

ROVERS: Robinson, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Givet (sub Dunn 13 mins), Khizanishvili (sub McCarthy 66 mins), Mokoena, Warnock (sub Olsson 56 mins), Diouf, Roberts, Pedersen.

Subs not used: Bunn (GK), Tugay, Andrews, Treacy.

Booked: Diouf, Mokoena, Khizanishvili, Ooijer (Rovers)

Attendance: 60,091

FULL TIME: ROVERS 2 ARSENAL 3 (AET)

120+1 MINS: Pedersen sees Fabianski punch the ball clear, Nelsen is then adjudged to have fouled his man in the area, a chance for Arsenal to get the ball out of their half.

120 MINS: Two additional minutes to be played. Zurab Khizanishvili comes on for Warnock

120 MINS: Friedel is up for the corner. Pedersen waits to deliver as Warnock receives treatment.

120 MINS: Pedersen tees the ball up to the back and Samba hits the post.

118 MINS: Fabianski claims Pedersen's corner kick.

117 MINS: Samba sees an effort blocked, it comes to Pedersen but his right-footed effort deflects behind for a corner.

116 MINS: Gibbs comes on for Eduardo.

112 MINS: Samba flicks on the long ball, McCarthy tries an ambitious effort but it goes wide.

111 MINS: Samba is a permanent forward now.

111 MINS: Eduardo now has cramp, but gets up and continues.

111 MINS: Eduardo slices his clearance high and behind goal, but Arsenal clear Bentley's corner.

110 MINS: Bentley with another corner, Nelsen rises but heads over the bar.

109 MINS: Bentley gets the ball back, this time his delivery is much better and Song dives to head behind.

109 MINS: Bentley does well and wins a corner kick, he'll take it himself. but it is cleared at the near post.

108 MINS: Pedersen takes the free-kick and it is inches wide of Fabianski's left hand post.

108 MINS: Samba is brought down by Eduardo, five yards from the right corner of the area. Traore is booked for kicking the ball away.

106 MINS: Bentley is limping at the moment after going to ground a little too energetically.

106 MINS: Back underway again with Rovers attacking the Blackburn End.

HALF TIME: Rovers 2 Arsenal 3

105+4 MINS: McCarthy fouled by Merida, Bentley into the area, Traore clears to Pedersen who strikes the ball spectacularly on the volley but it flies high into the Arsenal fans behind the goal.

105 MINS: Five additional minutes to be played at the end of this half.

105 MINS: Aaron Mokoena comes on for Dunn.

104 MINS: Against all odds the Gunners take the lead, Eduardo beats the offside trap to latch onto Song's through ball and he beats Brad Friedel from the edge of the area. Rovers 2 Arsenal 3

103 MINS: Dunn pulls up a little sharply there, hopefully it is a touch of cramp. He's doing plenty of stretching.

102 MINS: Santa Cruz out left to Pedersen, with Bentley and McCarthy racing into the area he sends over the cross but he's too early and McCarthy is flagged offside.

101 MINS: Merida comes on for Barazite.

100 MINS: Still no play here as Barazite is helped onto a stretcher. Merida waits to come on.

97 MINS: A stretcher is called for Barazite who was caught by Dunn. Rovers use this as an opportunity to take on more fluids.

97 MINS: Starting to lose feeling in my toes now

95 MINS: Dunn robs Diarra and feeds McCarthy but he's a fraction offside as he shoots straight at Fabianski.

90 MINS: Rovers get the extra-time underway

90+5 MINS: Thats the end of the ninety minutes. Extra time beckons which Arsenal must play with ten men.

90+3 MINS: Straight red for Denilson. Now the linesman is talking to the referee. Riley goes over to Savage and shows him a yellow card.

90+2 MINS: Denilson slides into Dunn, as Rovers play on the referee blows his whistle, Dunn doesn't like the challenge, Denilson has been booked. Riley calls him over.

90+1 MINS: Benni McCarthy comes on for Matt Derbyshire.

90 MINS: An additional three minutes to be played. Need a goal now or we've extra time.

90 MINS: Bendtner was almost through, Nelsen does enough to block, the ball looping high and allowing Friedel to claim.

89 MINS: Bentley with a deep cross, Nelsen heads back but Santa Cruz mis-hits the ball into the ground and the chance is gone.

89 MINS: Diarra now goes into the book for felling Bentley

84 MINS: Pedersen's left wing cross is too close to the keeper and he claims.

82 MINS: Song's clearance deflects off Pedersen, the ball goes right into the path of Derbyshire, but his effort comes off Senderos and behind.

81 MINS: Denilson goes in the book for bringing down Bentley.

80 MINS: Substitution for Arsenal. Barazite comes on for Randall.

79 MINS: Fabianski puches clear Bentley's corner. Bentley puts the ball back in but despite the pressure from Santa Cruz, Fabianski again shows excellent handling.

78 MINS: Quick feet from Savage to take the ball into the area, he tries to tee up a Rovers player but Arsenal put the ball behind.

77 MINS: Senderos is almost there but misses and Friedel gathers.

76 MINS: Reid is booked for a foul on Traore, another free-kick to Arsenal in a dangerous position.

72 MINS: Bendtner takes the kick, it hits the wall and Warnock does well to clear

71 MINS: Nelsen blocks the run of Bendtner, Arsenal have a free-kick five yards from the edge of the area, just to the left.

69 MINS: Bentley with a free-kick into the area, cleared to Savage who does well to keep his effort down but it bounces a couple of yards wide.

68 MINS: Tonights attendance 16,207

65 MINS: Pedersen with a driven cross, Santa Cruz stretches but can't connect properly and Senderos clears.

62 MINS: Despite that setback Arsenal are sticking to their marvelous passing play, even centre back Song was almost through there until Nelsen's timely interception.

60 MINS GOAL!! Bentley with the free-kick into the area and Roque Santa Cruz powers home with a superb header. Rovers 2 Arsenal 2

59 MINS: Yellow card for Randall as he's just late to the ball and catches Warnock

58 MINS: From the resulting corner on the right, it is flicked on by Santa Cruz and Derbyshire sees his header cleared off the line.

57 MINS: Bentley with a free-kick into the area, it comes off the back of Bendtner's head and onto the roof of the net.

55 MINS: Its all getting a little frantic and fractious here

48 MINS: Bentley with a deep cross, Derbyshire goes up with Fabianski but the ball just won't drop for Santa Cruz.

48 MINS: Santa Cruz through, but Fabianski makes the save, Song hacks the ball behind to stop Santa Cruz putting the ball into the empty net.

46 MINS: No changes at the start of the second half.

HALF TIME: Rovers 1 Arsenal 2. Outplayed for long periods, Santa Cruz's late goal has given the home side a lifeline.

45 MINS: One additional minute to be played

45 MINS: From the resulting free-kick Senderos hits the post, but he's flagged offside.

44 MINS: Samba takes down Bendtner, both players need treatment, Mike Riley stands by to give the Rovers defender a yellow card.

42 MINS GOAL! The comeback starts here? David Bentley onto Derbyshire on the flank, he's offside but who cares, his centre is poked home by the outstretched Roque Santa Cruz. Rovers 1 Arsenal 2

41 MINS: Corner to Rovers but Bentley over hits the centre much to the delight of the Arsenal fans behind the goal.

34 MINS: Great save from Fabianski, diving to his right to hold Bentley's free-kick.

32 MINS: Now it is Eduardo's turn to get the better of Warnock, the Croatian cuts in and fires low at Friedel but he makes a regulation save.

29 MINS: 2-0 to Arsenal, Denilson with the ball forward, Samba misses it completely allowing Eduardo in, he beats Friedel from 20 yards with ease. Rovers 0 Arsenal 2

29 MINS: Pedersen from the left this time, it is cleared back to him, onto Bentley but Fabianski saves at the near post

28 MINS: Pedersen's corner is deeper, Fabianski tips it behind for another kick.

28 MINS: Rovers wake up, Pedersen down the left, his cross is headed back by Reid to David Dunn, he shifts onto his left and fires through the crowd but Fabianski touches it around the post.

26 MINS: Bentley with a free-kick from distance, but it doesn't trouble Fabianski as he claims with ease.

22 MINS: Warnock takes the legs of Denilson and gets a yellow card for his troubles.

21 MINS: Pedersen's corner bounces down in the six yard box but it is the side in red and blue that get the ball away.

21 MINS: Derbyshire chass a ball into the corner and wins a corner kick off Traore.

20 MINS: Diaby again with a delicious ball forward, Samba has to slide in and put the ball behind to avoid Eduardo capitalising. Denilson's corner is cleared out of play by Savage at the near post.

19 MINS: Arsenal passing the ball about leaving Rovers chasing shadows, alas I can't say the same about Rovers.

17 MINS: Dunn catches Traore with a late boot, an apologetic Dunn gets a talking to from referee Mike Riley.

12 MINS: The Arsenal fans chant "you haven't come to see the Arsenal"

9 MINS: Bendtner plays a one-two with Diaby, he runs past the Rovers defenders with ease but hits the bar with a delicate effort.

6 MINS: Arsenal take the lead with a move of simplicity, and it really shouldn't have been. Hoyte with a throw-in to Randall, back to Hoyte who feeds Bendtner, his cross is over Reid at the back and Diaby is there to volley over Friedel and into the net. Rovers 0 Arsenal 1

4 MINS: Derbyshire with a clever run but Reid's free-kick is over hit and it runs through to Fabianski in the Arsenal goal.

2 MINS: Bentley cuts in from the left with a superb ball over Traore, but his effort - under pressure - is high over the bar.

2 MINS: For a game of such importance it is disappointing to see such a poor crowd at Ewood Park this evening, many many empty seats.

1 MINS: Rovers have lined up as expected, Steven Reid at right back, Dunn and Savage centre midfield.

0 MINS: Rovers get the game underway here at Ewood Park, kicking from left to right in this first half.

ROVERS: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock, Bentley, Savage, Dunn, Pedersen, Derbyshire, Santa Cruz. Subs: Brown (GK), McCarthy, Khizanishvili, Mokoena, Roberts.

ARSENAL: Fabianski, Diaby, Senderos (c), Diarra, Eduardo, Denilson, Song, Bendtner, Traore, J. Hoyte, Randall. Subs: Mannone (GK), Gibbs, G. Hoyte, Merida, Barazite.