Amoruso: Don't let fear destroy us

Lorenzo Amoruso warned his Blackburn team-mates not to be overawed by Arsenal.

The Italian defender said Blackburn can cause the unbeaten Gunners problems - but only if the players believe in themselves.

Amoruso, who is likely to be on the bench as he continues his comeback from injury, said: "We know that Arsenal are a great team and if you give them chances to score they will take them for sure. So, if we can make their life difficult then we can probably take something from the game.

"We can't afford to start the game already feeling beaten so everyone in the team has got to give that little bit more."

Blackburn defeated Arsenal home and away last season but Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have improved markedly since those two defeats.

He said: "Every level was low against Blackburn last season. It was what you call a very bad day at the office. In many ways the defeats were more important, more significant to us than the draw at Bolton a few weeks later. Because of being beaten at Blackburn we had no other choice than to win at Bolton where we ended up with only a point.

"It is our target to show tomorrow that we are a different team now, a better team - one with a different belief. But there are tricky places to play and Blackburn is one of them. We are aware of that." Arsenal are likely to be without Dennis Bergkamp, who sustained a neck and shoulder injury after a wild challenge from Celta Vigo keeper Pablo Cavallero during the 2-0 Champions League win at Higbury on Wednesday.

Jose Reyes is likely to replace the Dutchman and Wenger said: "Jose is getting stronger all the time and he is feeling more at home. That shows how much better-equipped we are as a squad and we are also lucky to have only two long-term injuries - Ray Parlour and Sylvain Wiltord."