Arsenal's brilliant young guns outclassed Blackburn to establish a slender 2-1 half-time lead in tonight's Carling Cup quarter-final at Ewood Park.

France midfielder Abou Diaby swept home a sixth-minute opener and Croatia striker Eduardo pounced on a defensive mistake to add a second on the half-hour mark.

Blackburn, who were virtually at full-strength, pulled a goal back shortly before the break through Roque Santa Cruz's 10th goal of the season.

Blackburn's frustration was epitomised when left-back Stephen Warnock was booked midway through the first half for a cynical late challenge on Denilson.

Rovers then forced two smart saves in quick succession from Fabianski following fierce long-range strikes from Dunn and then Bentley.

Having survived Blackburn's brief purple patch, Arsenal hit back in devastating fashion to double their advantage on the half-hour mark.

Denilson, dictating play alongside Lassana Diarra in the centre of midfield, spotted Eduardo making a darting run behind the home defence.

His pass was testing but Samba failed badly to clear the danger, thus allowing Eduardo to collect possession and place a left-foot shot into the corner of the net past an exposed Friedel.

Blackburn, although clearly shocked, rallied again and were rewarded when Roque Santa Cruz scored three minutes before half-time.

Bentley supplied Derbyshire on the right flank and his whipped cross was volleyed home from six yards by Santa Cruz.