Friedel

Curtis, Berg, Taylor

McAteer, Dunn, Flitcroft, Berkovic, Mahon

Hughes, Bent

Subs: Bjornebye (for Mahon, 46), Duff (for Berkovic, 46), Jansen (for Hughes, 62) Not used: Hignett, Kelly (gk)

Arsenal: (4-4-2)

Seaman

Dixon, Luzhny, Adams, Cole

Pires, Lauren, Grimandi, Ljungberg

Bergkamp, Wiltord

Subs: Silvinho (for Ljungberg, 65), Vieira (for Bergkamp, 69), Henry (for Pires, 69) Not used: Vivas, Manninger (gk)

TALKING TACTICS:

Rovers stuck with the 3-5-2 formation which has served them so well recently but Arsenal cruelly exposed the space down the flanks. By the time Rovers switched to a more rigid 4-4-2 to counter the problem the tie was already over.

TURNING POINT:

It sounds bizarre but Marcus Bent's header after just 29 seconds. Had that gone in then it might just have taken the wind out of Arsenal's sails, allowing Rovers to get a proper foothold in the game.

SET PIECE WATCH:

Graeme Souness would have warned his team of the danger posed by Tony Adams at set-pieces but Rovers failed to heed the warning and Adams towered above Marcus Bent to head the Gunners into an unassailable lead.