With Manchester United preoccupied with Europe, Arsenal kept the home fires burning by moving to within one point of the Premiership leaders, though having played a game more.

However, their poor disciplinary record once again raised its head as Martin Keown became their ninth player to be sent off this season.

All of this was of no consolation to Blackburn of course. Defeat plunged them another step nearer relegation and 10 minutes from time they had Keith Gillespie sent off for a second yellow card as he brought down Dennis Bergkamp in the area. There was scant consolation that the Dutchman missed the penalty.

Arsenal, with Bergkamp and Marc Overmars back, began brightly enough. Only a great tackle from Darren Peacock denied the club's recent signing from Bordeaux, Kaba Diawara, an opening goal on 11 minutes. Seven minutes later Patrick Vieira's rasping shot found John Filan's arms and shortly after Tony Adams blasted over.

In the end it was another piece of Bergkamp wizardry which broke the deadlock. The Dutchman fired a 20-yard free-kick into the Blackburn wall with his right foot and almost in the next movement drilled the rebound low into the corner with his left.

It made a change for this fixture to be more memorable for the quality of the football than the depth of the anger. Two seasons ago Chris Sutton was heavily criticised for the bad sportsmanship which led to Rovers' equaliser and last October, the two sides met in a bad-tempered game at Ewood Park where he was dismissed after a series of run-ins with Patrick Vieira.

Blackburn made a tactical change at half-time, replacing Billy McKinlay with Damien Johnson, however twice within five minutes of the restart Arsenal went close to extending their lead.

Arsenal brought on Kanu, hoping that his scoring acumen as a substitute might do the trick, but suddenly they had other things to worry about as Keown was sent off on 70 minutes for a second booking after apparently retaliating following a foul by Sutton. Controversy had knocked again.

Arsenal: Seaman, Dixon, Keown, Adams, Winterburn, Parlour, Vivas, Vieira, Overmars (Bould 72), Bergkamp, Diawara (Kanu 62). Subs Not Used: Anelka, Grimandi, Lukic. Sent Off: Keown (69). Booked: Keown, Dixon, Vivas. Goals: Bergkamp 42.

Blackburn Rovers: Filan, McAteer, Peacock, Henchoz, Davidson, Gillespie, McKinlay (Johnson 45), Carsley (Broomes 67), Wilcox, Sutton, Ward. Subs Not Used: Flowers, Davies, Marcolin. Sent Off: Gillespie (83). Booked: Filan, Ward, Davidson, Gillespie.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).