Pedersen: Bring on Gunners
BLACKBURN: Norwegian winger Morten Gamst Pedersen believes Blackburn’s mean defence can cope with Arsenal in the club’s first FA Cup semi-final for 45 years.
Blackburn take on Arsenal at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium tomorrow after conceding one goal in their last six matches – and that in an English Premier League defeat to the Gunners.
However, Arsene Wenger’s side have racked up 100 goals in all competitions and are strong favourites to reach their fourth final in the last five years.
But Pedersen, who has scored four of his seven goals this season in the FA Cup since his £1.5mil arrival from Tromso in August, believes Blackburn can reach the final.
“We have played well recently in big games against Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton,” he said.
“It means we are now really looking forward to taking on Arsenal again, and the Cup is the Cup. You never know what can happen.
“We’ve nothing to lose. We will give our best and if that’s not good enough, then we know we have gone out fighting.
“But we’ve nothing to fear. If we go out there, be ourselves and play like we did against Southampton (Blackburn won 3-0) then we have a good chance of winning the game.
“We know Arsenal are a good team, but we also know we can beat them, in particular because we are playing so well defensively.
“We’ve been keeping clean sheets and now we are scoring again. That is why the performance against Southampton was so good. You can’t get any better than that.
“That is why we feel we can reach the final.”
The Norwegian winger has played his part in helping Blackburn pull away from the relegation zone, with his stunning strike against Saints setting Mark Hughes’ side on their way to three precious points.
With Blackburn now nine points clear of the drop zone, Pedersen added: “It was great to score again. It set us up for an important win and going into the Cup game, knowing we are close to being safe in the league, will help us mentally.”
Blackburn could be further buoyed by the return of midfielder Robbie Savage after he completed 68 minutes of a reserve-team game on Tuesday following six weeks out of action with a groin injury.
Savage ws hoping there will be no adverse reaction.
“I’ve been training outside now for 10 days so my fitness work has been good, but playing a game is completely different,” said Savage.
“I just hope there’s no reaction, then fingers crossed I’ll be back.”
But Savage realises he has no given right to force his way back into the side as Blackburn have won three and drawn two of the six games in his absence.
“All the lads have done fantastically well over the last six games. Now it’s down to the manager to pick the team and if I’m in it then great, and if I’m not, then I’ve just got to get on with it,” said Savage. – AFP
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