Brad Friedel made a stunning double save from Thierry Henry and Justin Hoyte in the last three minutes after Arsenal were denied a 77th-minute penalty at the Emirates.

Blackburn earned a replay that adds to both teams' already overcrowded fixture lists with a determined defensive display in the FA Cup fifth round tie.

Referee Martin Atkinson studiously refused to acknowledge Stephen Warnock's trip on Jeremie Aliadiere 13 minutes from time.

Then Friedel threw himself at a couple of missiles from Henry and Hoyte late on to preserve his team's second chance.

Even if they had been given the penalty, Arsenal would not have been able guarantee victory on the evidence of their midweek penalty blunders at Bolton.

At least that story had a happy ending for the Gunners but until Emmanuel Adebayor - a two-goal hero at the Reebok - and Tomas Rosicky came on as late substitutes they exhibited little penetration.

Although Blackburn rode their luck and were sometimes allowed to get away with some bad challenges by Atkinson you could not help but admire their dedication to the cause - especially following UEFA Cup exertions in Germany a few days ago.

Rovers, without injured 12-goal South Africa striker Benni McCarthy and midfield star Tugay who was rested, were clearly mindful of their 6-2 Emirates defeat back in December plus another defeat since.

They had the road-blocks on right from the start with Walcott's first two runs down the right ended by crunching tackles from Stephen Warnock and Ryan Nelsen.

In the sixth minute, Arsenal looked as though they might get a rare early breakthrough but Henry, having superbly found space in behind the Blackburn defenders, met Justin Hoyte's chip forward with an improvised hook-shot that spiralled over the bar.

Then William Gallas, playing at left back after three months out with a thigh injury, came forward to get in a header at the far post from a Cesc Fabregas freekick two minutes later but was also off target.

Arsenal dominated the possession with their usual brand of crisp passing unfazed by the fact that boss Wenger made nine changes to the starting line-up from the team which prevailed at Bolton.

Aliadiere showed promise with a burst through the centre that deserved to force more than a corner but by now Blackburn, unashamedly putting bodies behind the ball after midweek UEFA Cup exertions in Leverkusen, were building a wall of confidence.

They did not seem too concerned with attack and Shabani Nonda looked a lonely figure in the wide expanses of the Arsenal half.

A familiar story seemed to be unfolding with Arsenal's embroidered attacks met by steely dedicated resistance.

Henry won a 21st-minute freekick and glided it in from the left for Walcott to apply a flick but Brad Friedel was alert to the danger.

The longer it went on the more meat Blackburn put into their challenges. David Dunn was booked after hacking Justin Hoyte and former Arsenal youngster David Bentley was lucky not to suffer the same fate for a challenge on Walcott.

Atkinson seemed obsessed with trying to let the game flow which would have been applauded by Arsenal but not at the expense of their ankles.

Solo efforts by the non-stop Fabregas and the rampaging Kolo Toure were the best Arsenal could offer in the second half until Adebayor and Rosicky replaced the hapless Walcott and Ljungberg.

But by then it was just a little too late to avoid yet another unwanted date on the fixture calendar for Arsene Wenger.

Teams:

Arsenal Almunia, Gallas (Clichy 60), Toure, Senderos, Hoyte,Walcott (Adebayor 68), Fabregas, Flamini,Ljungberg (Rosicky 69), Aliadiere, Henry.

Subs Not Used: Poom, Denilson.

Blackburn Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Warnock,Bentley, Mokoena, Samba, Dunn (Todd 90), Nonda (Roberts 84),Berner (Derbyshire 68).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Peter.

Booked: Dunn, Bentley, Khizanishvili, Todd.

Att: 56,761

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).