Arsenal suffered their first defeat of 2003 as the Gunners' makeshift defence was found badly-wanting by an impressive Blackburn side.

Damien Duff and Tugay earned a comfortable victory for Rovers as Blackburn became the first side since Liverpool three years ago to do the double over the double winners.

The defeat, Arsenal's first since December 7, throws the title race open again after Manchester United's victory earlier in the day saw them surge to within two points of their rivals.

Perhaps the Gunners were tired after their midweek exertions, perhaps Arsene Wenger's decision to protect Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League match in Valencia was just too risky.

Once Martin Keown limped off in the 19th minute, Arsenal's already creaky defence splintered and then broke, with Pascal Cygan looking particularly vulnerable.

With Thierry Henry over-elaborating, Blackburn held firm and punished the Gunners' mistakes - and all this without Andy Cole following his bust-up in training yesterday with Graeme Souness.

The nerves affecting Cygan were there for all to see in the opening seconds when he almost go in a mix-up with David Seaman's stand-in Stuart Taylor.

A couple of Arsenal forays fell apart after poor final balls before Keith Gillespie and Hakan Sukur gave a warning of things to come with some promising attacks.

Garry Flitcroft fouled Edu in prime Henry free-kick territory, 25 yards from goal. It was up to his usual standard but Brad Friedel made ground that few other keepers would have and parried his curling shot.

Duff, playing his first game for six weeks, then foolishly threw the ball away after being penalised for hand ball. He was booked and the free-kick moved to the edge of the area for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to try his luck but again Friedel pulled off a cracking save.

Worryingly for the Gunners, in terms of both this match and the coming European game, Keown limped off with an apparent hamstring injury and Gilberto came on as a makeshift centre-back.

Keown's absence cost Arsenal dear when Blackburn took a 22nd-minute lead through Duff. Ray Parlour was caught in possession by the hugely-impressive Flitcroft in a dangerous position and Keith Gillespie drilled in a cross towards Duff.

When the Irish winger completely missed his kick the Gunners should have cleared their lines but instead Tugay thrashed at the ball, it struck Dwight Yorke and spun high in the air for Duff - completely unmarked again - this time to volley past Taylor.

Henry set up Freddie Ljungberg with a delightful short pass as Arsenal tried to hit back but his shot was not powerful enough to beat Friedel.

Arsenal looked terribly vulnerable from corners as first Craig Short sent a header over the bar before then Duff struck a tremendous volley which was only superseded by Taylor's magnificent diving save.

Some patient build-up play by the champions - their first of the half - saw Robert Pires given time and space to line up a drive from 20 yards but once again Friedel was equal to it. As the half neared to a close, Pires missed an easy header in the six-yard box.

In the 52nd minute Arsenal's chance of maintaining their five-point advantage over United took another serious blow when Tugay put Rovers 2-0 up with his first goal of the season.

Duff broke from the halfway line, Tugay picked up possession and advanced towards the edge of the Arsenal box.

With Cygan dithering the Turkish midfielder rifled a purposeful drive between the French defender and van Bronckhorst and wide of the diving Taylor.

Vratislav Gresko, who had been outstanding in defence, surged forward for Blackburn but sent his 25-yard effort soaring high into the stands.

Henry came within inches of putting substitute Francis Jeffers through on goal but a superb interception by Short rescued Rovers.

A minute later it was Henning Berg's turn to clear from the lurking Ljungberg as Blackburn held the line with grim determination.

Teams

Blackburn: Friedel, Taylor, Berg, Short, Gresko, Gillespie, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff (Johansson 69), Sukur, Yorke (Gallagher 78).

Subs Not Used: Grabbi, Douglas, Kelly.

Booked: Duff, Tugay, Flitcroft, Sukur.

Goals: Duff 22, Tugay 52.

Arsenal: Taylor, Lauren, Keown (Silva 18), Cygan, van Bronckhorst, Pires (Wiltord 69), Parlour, Edu (Jeffers 69), Ljungberg, Bergkamp, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Toure, Warmuz.

Booked: Parlour, van Bronckhorst.

Att: 29,840

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).