Arsenal were left battered, bruised and, in Robin van Persie's case, even bloodied after a physical mauling by Blackburn in their FA Cup semi-final in Cardiff.

However, Arsene Wenger's side still emerged victorious to reach their fourth FA Cup final in the past five years and keep their season alive.

While Patrick Vieira was immense at the heart of Arsenal's midfield despite some intense physical provocation, it was left to van Persie to round off victory.

Robert Pires may have put Arsenal ahead just before half-time, but it was substitute van Persie who made the game safe with two glorious strikes in the final few minutes.

And, to sum up an afternoon on which Blackburn's limitations were starkly exposed, he was left with a facial wound after an apparent elbow in the face.

Whether Blackburn captain Andy Todd meant to land the blow on van Persie remains to be seen and may yet be the subject of a Football Association disciplinary inquiry.

However, it was the enduring image of an afternoon in which Arsenal may not have been at their most beautiful, but they still prevailed against a side whose tackling was branded beastly.

It also marked a considerable transformation in van Persie's fortunes, having been lambasted by Arsene Wenger only a few weeks ago after being stupidly sent off at Southampton.

Blackburn had succumbed to his finishing at Ewood Park last month and were again unable to cope with him again, even in the enforced absence of Thierry Henry through injury and even with their physical approach.

While Jose Mourinho was the first to anger Mark Hughes by labelling Blackburn an overly-physical side, it was not exactly hard to see why the Chelsea boss had been so critical.

Blackburn may have filled only half of their allotted seats, leading to wide open spaces inside the Millennium Stadium, but maybe those absent fans knew what was to come.

For the first half was little short of a sustained physical assault by Rovers, with little attempt to play any creative football.

Hughes has achieved much in a few months at Ewood Park, hauling the club clear of relegation by sheer force of will, as much as effective defensive organisation.

But however effective this approach may be in the league, it was doomed to failure in Cardiff as Arsenal retained an extra creative dimension.

Vieira was targeted for particularly close attention, with Garry Flitcroft, David Thompson and Aaron Mokoena all booked for fouls on the Arsenal captain before half-time.

Yet Arsenal managed to hold their nerve and when Blackburn's attempts to suffocate the Gunners' midfield started to falter, the fightback began.

It took 38 minutes for either side to create a real opening, with Brad Friedel pulling off a superb double save from Reyes and then Pires.

But there was nothing he could do soon afterwards when Kolo Toure showed composure at the far post to turn back inside his marker before setting up Pires to stab the ball home from close range.

Blackburn's response was entirely in character, with Paul Dickov felling Philippe Senderos, while Freddie Ljungberg was forced off soon after the restart with a recurrence of his hip injury.

Hughes also made a change, with Brett Emerton replacing Flitcroft, and Morten Gamst Pedersen being pushed further forward.

Arsenal nevertheless continued to dominate, with Friedel clawing Gilberto Silva's shot around the post and Blackburn chasing shadows in midfield.

Indeed, one extravagant spell of possession, lasting more than 30 touches, was enough to leave Hughes itching with frustration and he turned almost immediately to Robbie Savage from the bench.

Emerton promptly clattered into Lehmann and Savage fouled substitute Cesc Fabregas, but Arsenal continued to threaten on the break.

Friedel foiled Fabregas but then van Persie, who had replaced Dennis Bergkamp with just seven minutes left, took centre stage.

In a superb solo effort, he twisted past Lucas Neill before rounding Todd and picking his spot inside the far post.

Friedel denied Fabregas again, but van Persie then struck his second as he converted Pires' cross before promptly running into the brick wall of Todd's outstretched elbow.

While the Dutchman nursed his wound, Arsenal were already assured of a return to Cardiff for next month's final. Wenger's side may have been bloodied but, in the FA Cup at least, they remained unbowed.

Teams

Arsenal Lehmann, Lauren, Senderos, Toure, Cole, Pires, Silva, Vieira, Reyes (Aliadiere 90), Ljungberg (Fabregas 50), Bergkamp (Van Persie 82).

Subs Not Used: Almunia, Cygan.

Booked: Toure, Fabregas, Cole.

Goals: Pires 42, Van Persie 86, 90.

Blackburn Friedel, Neill, Todd, Mokoena, Nelsen, Matteo (Stead 83), Pedersen, Flitcroft (Emerton 51), Reid, Thompson (Savage 63), Dickov.

Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Tugay.

Booked: Flitcroft, Thompson, Mokoena, Neill.

Att: 52,077

Ref: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).