Arsenal began the match where they left off at Bolton on Wednesday night. Dominating possession, slick passing and moving, but wasting golden opportunities.
Thierry Henry blazed over the bar from close range on six minutes and William Gallas sent a header from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick high and wide. Blackburn for their part worked hard on closing the Gunners down and defending stoutly.
There was very little offensive action on their part, except a few heavy tackles. Apart from the early onslaught, Mark Hughes' side's tactics kept Arsenal's clear cut opportunities to a minimum and the sides went in level at half-time.
The second half began slowly. Both sides looked tired after their midweek exploits. The unsuccessful trip to Bayer Leverkusen seemingly left Blackburn devoid of ideas.
Arsenal's successful marathon of a match at Bolton also appeared to have taken its toll. The energy of the early minutes of the first half was replaced by heavy legged lethargy.
Substitutes are an important part of the modern game and both managers shuffled their pack in an effort to freshen the game up. Matt Derbyshire, one of Hughes' introductions, accounted for Blackburn's first effort on goal, coming 75 minutes into the game.
The youngster picked up possession on the right flank and spotted Manuel Almunia marginally off his line and tried his luck. The athletic Spaniard managed to turn the ball over the bar just before it dipped into the net.
In the same minute the Gunners were denied a penalty when Jeremie Aliadiere seemed to be hacked down in the box.
The Gunners should have taken the lead when two of their substitutes combined on 84 minutes. Emmanuel Adebayor worked an opening for Tomas Rosicky, but the Czech's close-range shot was well blocked by the legs of Brad Friedel.
The American keeper was again the visitors' saviour two minutes later with a finger-tip reaction save from Henry and then was on hand to deny Justin Hoyte who followed in with a shot from the right side of the goal.
A goalless draw has been a rarity at the Emirates Stadium, but that's the way the game finished, with the smile on Hughes' face being the broadest.