BLACKBURN Rovers' new defensive king-pin Ryan Nelsen will face Arsenal's intimidating strikeforce twice within the next four weeks but he insists the prospect of playing against the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires does not scare him.

The New Zealand international has already witnessed at first hand the devastating potential of Henry and Pires when they inspired France to a 5-0 hammering of the Kiwis in the Confederations Cup two years ago.

However, Nelsen has been pretty awesome himself since he signed for Blackburn on a free in January and he is relishing tomorrow's visit by the Gunners, which will act as a prelude for next month's FA Cup semi-final.

Nelsen said: "Of course I have so much respect for them but I don't fear them - not at all.

"You want to win the game and if you go onto the pitch fearing them then you are already in deep trouble.

"As a professional you want to play against the best. They are superstars and have proven it at international level and in the Premiership and they

are who you want to test yourself against.

"Okay they may have scored a goal or two against New Zealand - but a lot of strikers can say that!"

Nelsen has not looked back since he arrived in England from Major League Soccer outfit DC United at the beginning of January.

The 27-year-old has already established himself as a regular in Mark Hughes' line-up and was even given the captain's armband for the recent FA Cup victory over Burnley at Ewood, a clear sign of the faith his manager has in him.

He added: "It's different to the MLS of course, and it has not been easy, it has been hard work but that's what I love about it, the step up to this

level.

"The time on the ball, your decision-making, has to be so much quicker and if you make a mistake in the Premiership you get punished."

Hughes has certainly been impressed with the way his Kiwi defender has slotted seamlessly into his new-look back four.

In the 10 games Nelsen has played for Rovers so far, the team have only conceded a miserly three goals, but Hughes knew from the moment he first saw him that he was a Premiership star in the making.

"I'm not surprised at all by how well Ryan has done," said the Rovers boss.

"I was fortunate enough to pick him up and we had him in the club for two weeks on trial but within half an hour of his training session, I knew that he was a player.

"We've talked a lot about mental strength, and he's a guy who's got mental strength in abundance.

"He's got a winning mentality and he's added so much to the team.

"The fact he was a free transfer as well is fantastic."

Nelsen's blossoming form in the Premiership has finally silenced the doubters who felt he should have pursued a career in professional cricket instead.

When he was growing up as a teenager in New Zealand, Nelsen was widely regarded as one of the most promising cricketers in his homeland and he played for the same team as the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee.

However, the Rovers defender set his heart on becoming a footballer and his decision to follow that dream is now bearing rich fruit.

He added: "People questioned it at the time but I'm quite happy with the decision I have made - especially when you see New Zealand have just been beaten 5-0 in a one-day series by Australia and it's not looking good in the Test series either!"