TOWERING defender Chris Samba reckons Blackburn Rovers are capable of pulling off a giantkilling' act when they meet Arsenal in next week's FA Cup fifth round replay.

The 6ft 5in Congo international was magnificent at the back on Saturday as Rovers became the first English team to record a clean sheet at the Emirates Stadium.

Forming a powerful alliance with Ryan Nelsen at the heart of a stubborn Blackburn rearguard, Samba and his defensive charges managed to repel everything Arsenal threw at them during a feisty 0-0 draw.

And the former Hertha Berlin stopper, who joined Rovers for a bargain £400,000 fee during the January transfer window, said Mark Hughes' side fully deserve a second crack at the Gunners.

"It was a tough game but we were strong and I thought we did well," said Samba.

"We knew we were going to have to be strong defensively, but we deserved a draw."

Rovers were heavily criticised by the Arsenal camp for adopting what they perceived to be a negative approach, but Samba insists he and his colleagues have no need to apologise for the way they performed.

"I wouldn't say we were negative. I think they saw in the end game all the difficulties they had playing against a team who played the Italian style like we did.

"At Ewood Park, it will be totally different. I think maybe they will have to defend more."

Asked if he felt if Rovers should now be considered the slight favourites to go through, Samba added: "Yes. The ball is in our court now and at Ewood we will have to work very hard to create something offensively.

"But if we score the first goal then anything is possible."