While Brad Friedel produced several excellent saves, Robert Pires struck his 14th goal of the season to put Arsenal ahead just three minutes before half-time.

Substitute van Persie, who also scored the winner in their league meeting last month, then made certain of victory in the closing stages with a memorable solo effort.

And he then struck a second goal in injury-time, only to be rewarded with an apparent elbow in the face by Blackburn captain Andy Todd, which may yet prompt a misconduct charge.

Indeed, while victory was enough to keep Arsenal’s season alive, van Persie was not their only player to emerge bruised and battered.

For Blackburn, who were accused of overly-physical tactics by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho recently, did themselves few favours in the Millennium Stadium.

Mark Hughes’ team made no secret of their game-plan, trying to suffocate the life out of Arsenal, with Garry Flitcroft, David Thompson and Aaron Mokoena all booked for fouls on Patrick Vieira.

And while Rovers started confidently enough, with Lehmann saving a low free-kick by Steven Reid, it was not until the 38th minute that either side seriously threatened.

Friedel pulled off a superb double-save from Jose Antonio Reyes and Pires but could do nothing to deny the Frenchman when he was picked out by Kolo Toure’s low cross just before the break.

Arsenal continued to threaten after the restart, with Friedel clawing Gilberto’s shot around the post and Blackburn left to chase shadows in midfield.

It was therefore not long before Robbie Savage joined Brett Emerton in arriving from the bench and they soon joined the fray, with Emerton clattering into Lehmann and Savage fouling Cesc Fabregas.

Blackburn edged back into contention, with Emerton’s shot saved by Lehmann, but Arsenal still threatened on the break, with Friedel tipping Fabregas’ shot around the post with 10 minutes left.

It was left to van Persie to make victory certain with three minutes left as he twisted past Lucas Neill before rounding Andy Todd and picking his spot inside the far post.

Friedel denied Fabregas in the final minute but van Persie then struck his second as he converted Pires’ cross.

His celebrations were immediately cut short by Todd’s elbow, but Arsenal were already assured of a return to Cardiff for next month’s final.