Arsenal's first away win this season takes them third in the league following a match which saw clinical finishing from the Gunners and Chris Sutton sent off in the closing stages.

Anelka gives Arsenal the lead

Frenchmen Nicolas Anelka and Emmanuel Petit scored first half goals on a ground where the champions scored four before half time on the way to last year's title.

Blackburn enjoyed the lion's share of the possession and will feel they deserved at least a draw.

But all they had to show for their labours was a Damien Johnson header as Arsenal displayed a more ruthless streak in front of goal.

Emanuel Petit's free kick deflects off of the wall and past Flowers

Kevin Davies did see a goal ruled off after referee Dermot Gallacher decided he had fouled Martin Keown, and it was not the only controversy during the second half.

Sutton was sent off for a bad foul on Patrick Vieira in the final minutes and this was after he had collected his fifth yellow card.

The striker now faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after his recent ankle injury.

It did little to improve the mood of his manager Roy Hodgson, who said that his most prized asset had also broken his nose in a previous challenge with the player he eventually fouled.

Hodgson's squad has been ravaged by injury and illness and this result leaves his team only saved from a bottom three position by goal difference.

Anelka's goal was his fourth of the season

Arsenal, by contrast, were boosted by the return of Vieira from suspension and Emmanuel Petit and Fredrik Ljungberg from injury.

Tony Adams, who has a back problem, was rested and Steve Bould stepped in and donned the captain's armband.

But instead of last Easter Monday's lightning start it was Blackburn, with just two wins this season, who showed first and Nigel Winterburn blocked Tim Sherwood's overhead kick.

Chris Sutton is dismissed for a rash challenge on Vierra

Sutton then headed wide from Johnson's cross before the visitors stunned Blackburn by taking the lead in the 25th minute.

Blackburn looked in control and were passing the ball around only for Arsenal to strike like a cobra from their first effort on goal.

Billy McKinlay gave the ball away to Anelka, under pressure from Vieira, and the Arsenal striker fired home from 20 yards out off the inside of the post.

5 Live final whistle match report

It was his fourth of the season and only Arsenal's second away goal in the Premiership.

To rub further salt in Rovers' wounds Dermot Gallagher awarded a free-kick against Stephane Henchoz for a challenge on Ljungberg just outside the area in the 38th minute.

The Swede touched the ball to Marc Overmars, who stopped it for Petit to unleash a drive which was deflected past Flowers.

Davies returns

Half time saw a Blackburn substitution as Rovers replaced Jason Wilcox with Kevin Davies, now recovered from illness problems.

The young forward quickly combined with Sutton and drove wide from a header from his strike partner.

Consolation - Blackburn pull one back

Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman then got down well to keep out Sutton's deflected shot and Davies fired over from the rebound.

Johnson, who was making only his second league start, made the breakthrough in the 64th minute.

Damien Duff produced some trickery on the left before sending over a dangerous cross, which Petit could only hook on to the head of the Northern Ireland Under-21 international.

Then, midway through the half the controversy started.

Sherwood was booked for a shocking challenge on Vieira and the French international was carried off on a stretcher before he returned to the fray.

Then Anelka was just inches away from sealing it for Arsenal before Davies's effort was ruled out in the 79th minute.

Anelka then missed another chance before Sutton's challenge on Vieira led to him walking down the tunnel a little ahead of the other players.

Blackburn

Flowers, Kenna, Davidson, Sherwood, Peacock, Henchoz, Sutton, Wilcox, Duff, McKinlay, Johnson. Subs: Davies, Croft, Dailly, Dunn, Fettis.

Arsenal

Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn, Vieira, Bould, Ljungberg, Anelka, Bergkamp, Overmars, Keown, Petit. Subs: Vivas, Hughes, Grimandi, Garde, Manninger.