Gunners win penalty shoot-out to progress in Europe
Wenger's side won a nail-biting penalty shoot-out in Rome
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Wednesday, 11, Mar 2009 11:03
Arsenal have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Roma in a penalty shoot-out at the Stadio Olimpico.
The tie was forced into extra-time after Juan had made it 1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate.
Roma were left to regret a number of missed opportunities by former Arsenal forwards Julio Baptista in the second half as they went out of the competition in the cruellest way.
Arsenal missed their first spot kick through Eduardo da Silva but Manuel Almunia saved Mirko Vucini's strike to force the penalty competition to go into sudden death.
Abou Diaby scored Arsenal's eighth penalty before Max Tonetto sent his shot wide of the post and put the Gunners into the last eight of the competition.
The night had started well for Roma, taking the lead after ten minutes as they picked apart the Arsenal defence.
Francesco Totti broke free on the left flank and crossed across the six yard box, Rodrigo Taddei stepped over the ball, allowing Juan time and space to steer the ball past Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal were managing to win their fair share of possession but continually gave it away which meant they struggled to give Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner the service they needed.
Almunia then had to be at his best, making a double save to deny Marco Motta and then Taddei.
The Gunners were lucky to go into half-time only 1-0 down after Gael Clichy appeared to bring Taddei down inside the box but Roma's penalty appeals were waved away.
At the start of the second half Bendtner was able to block a clearance to create a rare chance for the visitors, but Emanuel Eboue culd not find the Dane with his cross and the opportunity was gone.
Another excellent chance soon arrived for Roma but Baptista failed to find the target from close range after Totti had found him in space, the Brazilian getting himself tangled and sending his shot high and wide.
Arsenal introduced Theo Walcott and Eduardo from the substitute's bench and that helped give them some much-needed energy.
Extra-time came and went with neither side looking like getting a winning goal, leaving the lottery of the penalty shoot-out to decide things.
It looked grim for the Gunners when Eduardo missed his spot kick. But the other seven penalties from Arsene Wenger's men were hit well, ensuring they progressed into the last eight of the tournament when Tonetto sent his attempt wide.