FA Cup: Souness - We just want to get promoted

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness was not overly concerned at his side's FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal.

Souness reaffirmed his belief that the FA Cup was not a big priority after Rovers had lost 3-0 at Highbury.

Goals from Sylvain Wiltord, Tony Adams and Robert Pires in the first half were enough to end Rovers Cup hopes.

He said: "The main thing for us is promotion and with 13 games left in the league we've got a real chance.

"My team selection today was with next Wednesday's first division match against Birmingham in mind."

Souness started without key strikers Matt Jansen and Craig Hignett and the match was over as a contest by the time Jansen replaced 37-year-old Mark Hughes in the second half.

Souness said: "We wanted to give a good account of ourselves here but obviously we've lost it in the first five minutes.

"Our defending was a bit poor for the goals, a bit naive. Having said that though they were three great strikes by Arsenal.

"It's difficult to criticise my players too much. We all want to get promoted."