Rovers will take on the Gunners at the Millennium Stadium next month after beating Leicester 1-0 at the weekend.

And Bowen insists his players can't wait for the chance to take on Arsene Wenger's men.

Arsenal are the favourites to win the competition but Blackburn are desperate to overcome the odds to book a Cup Final date with either Manchester United or Newcastle in May.

Bowen said: "Everybody wanted us but we can assure everybody that if Arsenal take us lightly we'll be well prepared and they'll come a cropper. I'm sure they won't but as I say it's going to be a fantastic occasion for everybody.

"We're all very excited and have a bit of a dress rehearsal on Saturday when we play Arsenal in the early kick off.

"It would also be something very, very special for Mark Hughes. To win the thing four times as a player and then lead a team perhaps to The Final, that's some record."

Bowen believes it is Hughes' special attachment with The FA Cup which has helped Rovers through to the last four of the competition.

Hughes won The Cup with Manchester United and Chelsea as a player - and now Bowen hopes it is the year The Cup returns to Ewood Park for the first time since 1928.

He added: "He's got a special affiliation with The FA Cup and I think its rubbed off on the players right through the tournament this year.

"Every draw that's come about there's been a real feeling in the camp that maybe it's going to be our year and we've got something serious to play for."