Once Again, Arsenal Reaches FA Cup Final

Arsenal reached the English FA Cup final for the fourth time in five years, beating Blackburn, 3-0, Saturday behind two goals by substitute Robin van Persie in the last four minutes.

Robert Pires scored the first goal in the 42nd minute against former U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel at Millennium Stadium.

Arsenal will play in a record 17th FA Cup final May 21 against Manchester United or Newcastle, who meet in the other semifinal today at the same venue.

Arsenal, appearing in its fifth consecutive FA Cup semifinal, was without Thierry Henry. The Premier League scoring leader has a groin injury.

Friedel made several outstanding saves for Blackburn before Arsenal scored. He stopped a low drive from Jose Antonio Reyes, then made two standout saves, stopping a shot with his right hand and recovering to dive at the feet of Pires as he tried to force home the rebound.

Arsenal scored just before halftime when Pires tapped in a cross from Kolo Toure. In the second half, Friedel again helped Blackburn stay in the game, knocking a shot from Gilberto Silva around the post.

But van Persie beat Friedel to the bottom corner of the net in the 87th minute, and then scored again during injury time with a shot into the top corner. Van Persie had replaced Dennis Bergkamp in the 83rd minute.