BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes has revealed the secret behind his team's new-found defensive resolve as they prepare to strike an early psychological blow against Arsenal tomorrow.

Hughes has managed to transform Rovers into one of the meanest defensive units in the Premiership since replacing Graeme Souness in the Ewood hot-seat six months ago.

Rovers recorded their fifth clean sheet in six games against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night, and their eighth since the turn of the year, to boost hopes of a mid-table finish in the Premiership.

That's a far cry from earlier in the season, when Rovers had the worst defensive record in the top flight, and Hughes puts the transformation down to the skill of his coaching staff, who have spent hours working on defensive drills in training.

The Rovers boss, who is again likely to go with a 4-5-1 formation against the Gunners tomorrow, said: "Each and every day we work on the training ground and it's about doing the things that stop you from getting beat.

"When you do the things that stop you getting beat then you win games and pick up points.

"That's the philosophy and we make no apologies for repetition of work.

"We go over the same things over and over again in training and I've got good coaches so the players don't realise, the vast majority of the time, they are doing the same things again and again.

"That's the skill of the coaches I've got and that's what we work on.

"I'm not trying to say I've got a magic formula or whatever; it's down to hard work, application and the players taking on board what we are trying to tell them, then applying it on a match day, which they have done."

Rovers can take another giant step towards their safety target when they entertain the Gunners tomorrow in a dress rehearsal of next month's FA Cup semi-final.

Arsene Wenger's side have won their last four games in all competitions, and five of their last six league meetings with Rovers at Ewood.

However, Hughes has been hugely encouraged by his own side's recent defensive performances and he's looking for a strong finish to the season.

"We're on a good run at the moment and we want that to continue until the end of the season," said the Rovers boss.

"It's important we pick something up from every game we've got left because that will kick us on into next year.

"Once we get this season out of the way, because it's been a difficult one, I think next year we'll have a very good one."

Rovers' hopes of striking an early psychological blow ahead of the Cup semi-final could be boosted by the absence of Thierry Henry tomorrow.

Arsenal's 27-goal top-scorer is still nursing a calf injury and, though he's been named in the latest French squad, he's unlikely to figure against Rovers.

Hughes, meanwhile, will make late checks on Paul Dickov and Robbie Savage before naming his side.

Both players missed the 0-0 draw at Liverpool with groin injuries.