COLIN Kazim-Richards fired Blackburn Rovers into the quarter finals of the FA Cup as they stunned Premier League Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The Turkish international scored the only goal of the game on 73 minutes to reward a heroic away day display from his side.

Arsenal dominated possession in the opening half without being able to create too many clear cut chances against Rovers' resolute defence.

Goalkeeper Jake Kean was forced into action by Abou Diaby's header on 24, tipping it wide, while the midfielder also dragged a 20 yard shot wide of goal.

Kean did well to keep out Bradley Orr's misdirected header, scrambling across his goal to tip wide, while Gervinho should have scored at the end of the half but shot wide when through on goal.

Rovers started the second half as more of an attacking threat with Markus Olsson advancing down the left wing on a couple of occasions without being able to find the end product.

Diaby should have done better when he headed over the bar from a Tomas Rosicky corner on the hour mark as Arsenal struggled to break their visitors down.

With Rovers looking increasingly comfortable, Appleton introduced David Bentley to the action on 63 replacing Markus Olsson.

Tomas Rosicky almost gave the hosts the lead on 67, striking the bar from distance, before Grant Hanley brilliantly blocked Gervinho as he raced through on goal.

Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla as the hosts grew more and more desperate.

Rovers stunned the hosts on 73 though as Martin Olsson's strike was parried by Wojciech Szczesny and Colin Kazim-Richards was on hand to finish the loose ball for the opener.

Arsenal pushed for an equaliser but, for all their possession, were still struggling to create anything of note as Rovers stood firm.

Jake Kean had the final say, diving to his left to keep out Theo Walcott's header in injury time.