NEW Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen believes Blackburn Rovers will relish their underdog tag when they go into next month's FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal at The Millennium Stadium.

Yesterday's semi-final draw paired Rovers and the Gunners together in the last four and the bookies have already installed Mark Hughes' side as 14-1 outsiders to lift the trophy for the first time in 77 years.

However, Nelsen and his team-mates are quite happy that people are already writing off their chances as it means they can now go into the tie without the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

The Kiwi international said: "Any team you get in the semi finals is going to be extremely difficult so no matter who it was, it was going to be a huge challenge.

"Arsenal are full of great players, but it should be a load of fun.

"These are one-off games and form goes out of the window, but we'll enjoy being the underdogs."

Those thoughts were also echoed by Nelsen's team-mate, Morten Gamst Pedersen, the hero of Rovers' cup run so far.

Pedersen has already scored three goals in this season's competition, including the winner against Burnley in round five, and he's now hoping to fire Rovers into the final itself.

"It's a tough game (against Arsenal) but it's the cup, and if you are going to get to the final then you must beat the best," Pedersen told Rovers World.

"If you are going to do well then you have to beat everyone in the cup, so I'm looking forward to the game.

"It's going to be a massive game - a great one to be involved in."

Meanwhile, assistant manager Mark Bowen insists Rovers will not be overawed against the Gunners, who, ironically, they also face in the league this weekend.

"We're all very excited; we've got a bit of a dress rehearsal on Saturday in the early kick-off, so we'll try and get a few pointers," said the Welshman.

"We're delighted with the draw and delighted to be in the semi-finals with three of the biggest clubs in Europe.

"It's going to be a special occasion for everybody."

Bowen insisted Rovers have taken a light-hearted view of their sudden status as the team each of the other semi-finalists wanted to face rather than take on one of their fellow heavyweights.

"We've never felt so wanted as we have in the last 24 hours," said Mark Hughes' right-hand man.

"Everybody wanted us, but we're going to show everybody that if Arsenal take us lightly then we're well prepared and they'll come a cropper."

Blackburn boss MHughes is a four-times winner of the competition.

"Mark's got a special affiliation with the FA Cup, and I think it has rubbed off on the players," added Bowen.

"Maybe it is going to be our year."