Arsenal edge past Roma to become the 4th English team in the last eight

Arsenal are into the Champions League Quarter-Finals after an incredible night of drama at the Stadio Olimipcio.
Juan’s early goal cancelled out the advantage Arsène Wenger’s side had gained in the first leg. The rest of normal time and extra time remained goalless so this nervous but entertaining tie went to penalties.
Eduardo missed the first of the shoot-out but later on Manuel Almunia saved from Mario Vucinic to level up the scores. The crucial miss at 7-6 in sudden death came when Max Tonetto blazed high over the bar.
Arsenal march on. And hopefully their smattering of good fortune tonight will help them return to Rome for the Champions League Final in May.
At his press conference on Tuesday morning, Wenger said he had a decision to make over a couple of positions. In the end, he stuck with side that had won 1-0 in the first leg at fortnight ago. It was 4-2-3-1, now the standard in Europe it seems, with Van Persie supported by a triumvirate of Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner. Behind them, Abou Diaby and Denilson protected a back four that was reinforced by the return of Kolo Toure after a calf injury.
There had been rumours abound over Roma’s absences. Cicinho (knee), Daniele de Rossi (suspension) and Marco Cassetti were certainly out. There were suggestions that Francesco Totti, David Pizarro, Doni, Philippe Mexes and Alberto Aquilani and Mirko Vucinic were all struggling.
In the end only Mexes missed the game.
The Stadio Olimpico was everything you would expect at kick-off. Loud, colourful, intimidating. Arsenal had history on this ground – a superb 3-1 win against Roma in 2002 and a highly-creditable 1-1 draw with Lazio in 2000. But that would be worth nothing this evening.
It was as if the home fans were trying to prove definitively that the concept of the ‘12th man’ is true. The pre-mach perception was that the injury-hit home side would need the help. However it did not turn out that way.
Roma were the better side in the first 20 minutes. They were crisp and persistent in their tackling. They closed down the Arsenal defenders and forced them into nervous mistakes.
John-Arne Riise’s blocked shot was Roma’s first sight of goal. In the ninth minute they would score and it was a horrible goal for Arsenal to concede.
Francesco Totti’s low cross in from the right bobbled between Toure and Gallas, through the legs of Rodrigo Taddei to Juan at the far post. If the Brazilian was surprised to get the ball it did not show. He kept his cool as the Arsenal defence scrambled back and slammed home from close range.
It was the lead on the night and leveller in the tie. Roma players and fans celebrated accordingly.
At the same time, the goal was a pin in the bubble of self-belief Arsenal had built up in their 17-game unbeaten run. Now they had to guard against deflation.
Gallas did loop a header into Doni’s hands but the home side now saw their chance.
In the 22nd minute Motta drove forward in the right-hand channel and forced a strong-handed block by Almunia at the near post. The Italian raced to the byline and scooped the ball back into the centre of the goal just before it crossed the line. It came out to Taddei, whose low cross-shot was tipped around the far post by Almunia. The keeper had recovered his ground with alacrity.
Around the half-hour, Arsenal did start to find their feet. And they came closest to scoring when Gael Clichy swirling left-wing cross found Diaby’s head. The Frenchman’s effort had power but was directed straight at Doni, who gathered with relative ease.
Van Persie nodded over and Eboue hacked horribly wide. Neither chance was ever going in but it was testament to the fact that Arsenal were on the offensive.
However, a minute before the break, came a crucial moment. Gallas lost the ball venturing too far forward and Totti’s chip sent Motta sprinting clear on the right with Clichy in pursuit. The two defenders ended up a heap in the area and Roma seemed convinced it was a penalty. Referee Manuel Gonzalez waved play on.
The Spanish official was given the benefit of the home fans’ opinion as he walked off Arsenal needed half-time. They had been second-best and wise words for Wenger were required.
Although Roma started the second period quickly with substitute Julio Baptista nodding wide and Riise firing in a free-kick, the visitors were making matters more even.
Toure’s drive was deflected wide and, from the corner, Bacary Sagna powered a header straight at Doni.
Diaby and Eboue were inches away from providing defence-splitting passes to Van Persie and Bendtner respectively.
But, at the other end, Totti was starting to do what Totti does. He found intelligent space just outside the area and went close with a couple of drives from distance – one flew wide of Almunia’s post, the other into his chest.
The game was a real cup-tie now. There was little containment in midfield as both sides went for the crucial next goal.
In the 64th minute, Nasri’s corner was punched clear to Diaby who weaved himself some space on the edge of the area and poked an effort just wide.
However Arsenal could not maintain their momentum and, as a result, Wenger withdrew Eboue for Walcott 10 minutes later. It added pace and urgency to Arsenal but it was Roma who would forge the real tie-killing chance before the end.
In the 79th minute, Taddei stormed down the right and Totti touched his low cross to the unmarked Baptista 10 yards out. All the sliding Brazilian had to do was guide the ball home but it hit the outside of his foot and flew wide.
A massive let-off for Arsenal.
Extra-time was now looming and so Wenger made another change – Eduardo for Bendtner. The Croatian was quickly involved and helped the visitors create a couple of decent chances just before the end of normal time.
First Van Persie bobbled a deflected shot just wide from the edge of the box. The corner found Walcott on the left, his deep cross was nodded back into the six-yard box by Van Persie and Toure heaved a header over the bar from a few feet out.
The Ivorian lay disappointed on the grass for a few seconds then sprang up, dusted himself down and raced back to his position.
He had 30 more minutes of work to do.
Extra-time is often a disappointment these days. By this point, both sides are all too aware of what they have to lose.
That seemed the mentality this evening. Roma had pressure in the first period of extra-time but the best chance came in the 100th minute when Denilson bustled through on the right of the area and Van Persie hoiked the Brazilian’s cross over the bar.
Walcott tested Doni early in the second period but, in the 114th minute, it took a superbly timed challenge from Toure to dispossess Baptista as he bore down on goal.
However the side could not be divided in three and an half hours of football. So the tie would be decided from 12 yards.
Eduardo took the first for Arsenal and Doni saved low to his right. Pizarro then scored to give Roma the advantage. Van Persie’s coolly converted then Almunia saved easily from Mario Vucinic’s cheeky effort to level matters at 2-2. Walcott just managed to squirm his shot through Doni’s fingers and Baptista blasted a thunderbolt into the top of the net.
Nasri’s effort was placed to the keeper’s left and Vincenzo Montella almost skipped his effort in to the corner for 3-3.
It was now effectively sudden death. Denilson rattled his penalty straight down the middle and it was left to Totti to complete the first five apiece. He did so with aplomb.
Toure took a long run up and then sidefooted home Aquilani response was impish and accurate – 5-5.
Sagna opted for a short run and stroked the ball in the corner. Riise just squeezed his left-foot drive past Almunia’s outstretched left-hand - 6-6.
Diaby scored with nonchalance and it was Tonetto who fired over the bar.
Wenger’s men had kept their nerve with an excellent set of penalties. It had been two well-matched sides in an incredibly tense tie but Arsenal were through.

THe Gunners scrape past Roma in 1st leg

After 3 months we return to Champions league football!!! Arsenal were facing off against Roma at the Emirates. Both teams were not in the best of form in their respective leagues, but had much better form in Europe. Arsenal were missing Adebayor and Eduardo thru injury. But Roma striker Totti was back in business for the roman club.

The match started brightly, with both teams passing the ball around. After 10 min though Arsenal turned dominant and started hogging possession. They turned the ball around, and pssed like crazy, popping the ball from side to side, but Roma kept on clearing the ball. It was just another day for Arsenal, the same old story, all chances but no conversion into goals. But Persie avoided that by being brought down in the penalty box. A nasri pass to the Dutch centre forward made the Roma defence nervous, and French centre back Mexes brought him down. Persie converted the spot kick with a right corner finish to give the Gunners the much needed boost.

After the interval, Roma replied strongly with a few outspoken runs, but soon withered away, as Arsenal's rock solid defence and super goalkeeper rendered them useless. Arsenal had a glorious chance when a Nasri pass found an unmarked Bendtner in the box, but the Danish striker blazed his shot above the goal. Eboue too had his opportunity with a defensive error, but the Ivorian, who has scored only once in 5 yrs at arsenal, found the wrong side of the net. But Riise brought the romans back to life when he found the post, but Arsenal held on to win at last 1-0.

Meanwhile, champs ManUtd failed to take any advantage at the San Siro, as Ronaldo squandered 5 freekicks in front of goal. But Mourinho;s side too missed several opportunities as that match ended in a 0-0 draw.

Barca came back from behind to score a crucial away goal, after recovering from a Juninho free kick, as Henry equalised at the end of the mathc. Lyon and Barca settled for a 1-1 draw.

Porto scored 2 away goals as Athletico Madrid was helpless, but rallied to hold on 2-2.

With Arsenal only winning their match, it will be interesting tp see the second leg on march 10!!!

The Diabolical UEFA draw

The Champions league is the only way the greatest European teams face each other, and this time it has proven too much!!!

Manchester United Vs Inter Milan
Chelsea Vs Juventus
Arsenal Vs AS Roma
Liverpool Vs Real Madrid
Barcelona Vs Lyon
Villarreal Vs Panathinaikos
bayern Munich Vs Sporting Lisbon
Atlético Madrid v FC Porto

Poor teams!!!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: MATCHDAY 5

Arsenal ran romp in Turkey with a full strength squad after gaining full confidence against a hapless Everton, defeating the Turkish champs away 5-2. Arsenal grew in confidence after quick goals by Adebayor and Walcott, both through assists by Fabregas, and then crushed them even more with goals from Abou Diaby, Song and a last minute substitute Ramsey, who slooted the ball past the goalkeeper in the last minute of extra time. Fenerbahce got two consolation goals with a Silvestre own goal and a second half goal by Spanish forward Danny Guiza.

Villareal led the day's goal fest with a 6-3 win over AaB Aalborg to give MAnchester United a run for their money as they won 3-0 against Celtic. Rooney scored a stunning goal and Berbatov scored a brace to keep them at the top of their group.

Lyon meanwhile thrashed Bucharest 5-3, though the underdogs kept clawing back, to win their match quite easily. Bayern returned back to form with a 3-0 victory against a talented Fiorentina as Klinsmann halied their return to form. Kiev edged out Porto to throw the second place in the group open to contenders as they won by a narrow margin 1-0. Zenit were held by dark horses BATE away, as they underdogs frustrated the Russian champs 1-1.

Juventus beat Real Madrid in a thrilling match after Nistelrooy canceled a first half strike from Del Piero. Amauri bought the match to an end with a late strike, as they won 2-1.

36 goals were scored in the day to equal the existing record.

CONGRATS ALL THE TEAMS TO ACHIEVE SUCH A FEAT!!

UEFA Champions League: Matchdays 3 and 4

Match day three: Comfortable for the ENGLISH

The UEFA champs league has never ceased to surprise us. It gives experienced players a lesson in pain and new players a chance to prove themselves.

Arsenal’s young squad had disappointed everyone in the EPL match against Hull, losing 2-1 at home. But the Gunners came onto the pitch at home against their toughest competition in their group stage- Portuguese champions Porto.

Porto had stunned Europe by reaching the quarters last year, and this year were determined to replicate that feat. Arsenal though had a point to prove, as they trudged down the pitch for the kick off. Despite Wenger’s angry comments, he made only one change, bringing in Samir Nasri instead of Eboue.

The first ten minutes were nervous for both teams as they tried to gain leverage, prodding in each other’s defence. Arsenal fans had their hearts in their mouths when a lone Porto striker nearly reached the box without the defence, but the defenders did well, reaching out to him and clearing the ball. Walcott kept on stunning Porto with his tremendous speed down the flank, but Adebayor and Persie were unable to convert.

Fed up, Fabregas put an end to the wait with a neat straight pass between the defence to an offside clearing Adebayor on the right side. Bayor did well, playmaking instead of scoring as he passed sideways and Persie just made it to slit the ball into the goal.

One down, Porto were determined to return back, but Arsenal’s enthusiasm was too much. Adebayor made it two up after a swiftly finished header did the trick, though the goalkeeper was at fault.

The momentum kept on going after half time, with Persie right leg finishing a beautiful pass out of the blue as the Gunners heralded their return. But that wasn’t enough. A foul to Bendtner in the box was the worst thing a Porto defender could do, and Adebayor added to his account with a cool penalty.

Arsenal could have had a few more goals, but their team performance was stunning. Few could do what Arsenal had done.

Meanwhile Manchester United had a training session match with Aalborg, after the latter embarrassed themselves. A beautiful pass to a free Rooney saw the first goal, a playful chip to Berbatov by the Aalborg defence saw the second, and a backside deflection to a cross cutting Berbatov saw the third goal.

Bate also had an eventful match, nearly defeating Juventus after they went two up before the Italian giants clawed back for a draw.

Real also had a scare before Nistelrooy put an end to matters to end the day 2-1. Fenerbahce also drew with Kiev 0 – 0.

Match day four: one with surprises

Liverpool had to face Dutch giants PSV and they did it in style, when Kuyt first kicked the ball into the net in the 4’, after a heavy deflection from Isaksson. Keane was next on the list, heading in an assist from Spanish golden boy Torres. Gerarrd completed his 100^th goal for the Reds with a freekick in the 75^th. PSV clawed one back near the end of time.

Barcelona nearly lost though, but wonder boy Messi’s brace in the 87^th and 94^th minutes put them on front after Shaktahar had scored in the 57^th.

Chelsea drew with lowly Cluj and thus the EPL teams were the most successful, the four of them scoring 10 goals and conceding one.

UEFA Champions League: Group F - (17/09/2008) Steau Bucharest 0-1 Bayern Munich, Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina

Steau Bucharest 0-1 Bayern Munich



Lyon 2-2 Fiorentina

UEFA Champions League: Group G - (17/09/2008) Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Arsenal, Porto 3-1 Fenerbahce

Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Arsenal




Porto 3-1 Fenerbahce

UEFA Champions League: Group H - (17/09/2008) Real Madrid 2-0 BATE Borisov, Juventus 1-0 Zenit St. Petersburg

Real Madrid 2-0 BATE Borisov



Juventus 1-0 Zenit St. Petersburg

UEFA Champions League: Group E - (17/09/2008) Man Utd 0-0 Villareal, Celtic 0-0 Aaloborg

Manchester United 0-0 Villareal

Celtic 0-0 Aalborg

UEFA Champions League: Group D - (16/09/2008) Marseille 1-2 Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Athletico Madrid

Marseille 1-2 Liverpool

Marseille vs Liverpool Highlights 1-2 UEFA Champions League 16.09.08

PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Athletico Madrid

Goal Videos

UEFA Champions League: Group C - (16/09/2008) Barcelona 3-1 Sporting Lisbon, Basel 1-2 Shakhtar Donetsk

Barcelona 3-1 Sporting Lisbon

Barcelona vs Sporting Lisbon Highlights 3-1 UEFA Champions League 16.09.

Basel 1-2 Shakhtar Donetsk

Goal Videos

UEFA Champions League: Group B - (16/09/2008) Panathinaikos 0-2 Inter Milan, Werder Bremen 0-0 Anorthosis Famagusta

Panathinaikos 0-2 Inter Milan

Pan. Athen vs. Inter Mailand 16.09.2008

Werder Bremen 0-0 Anorthosis Famagusta

Bremen vs. Famagusta (0-0) 16.09.2008

UEFA Champions League: Group A - (16/09/2008) AS Roma 1-2 CFR Cluj

Cluj stun Roma 2-1

Newcomers CFR 1907 Cluj got off to a spectacular Champions League debut after registering a 2-1 victory over Roma last night at the Stadio Olimpico. Christian Panucci got Roma off to a good start in the 17th minute, but Argentine forward Culio ensured that Roma didn't end the day winners with two goals.

Highlights!!

UEFA Champions League: Group A - (16/09/2008) Chelsea 4-0 Bordeaux

Chelsea sweep helpless Bordeaux

Goals from Lampard, Joe Cole, Malouda, and Anelka ensured Chelsea a strong start to their Champions League campaign in a one sided game against last season's French League runners up Bordeaux.

Highlights!

Lampard, 14th minute, 1-0
Joe Cole, 30th minute, 2-0
Malouda, 82th minute, 3-0
Anelka, 90th minute, 4-0 + Match Highlights

UEFA Champions League Qualifier: Arsenal 4-0 Twente (6-0 on aggregate)

Arsenal cruised into the Champions League group stages with a convincing 4-0 win over a Twente side which never bothered to challenge them. Goals from Nasri(wow another one at Emirates!), Gallas(holy crap!), Walcott and Bendtner ensured the victory for the Gunners. It was Cesc Fabregas who held together the midfield, and it was due to him that Arsenal were able to put up a spirited performance. Bendtner, Walcott, and Nasri were brilliant. Fabregas was amazing as usual, and Eboue was crappy as usual(as fellow blogger gunner! said..lol).

Highlights!

Samir Nasri, 27th minute, 1-0



William Gallas, 52nd minute, 2-0



Theo Walcott (brilliant finish!), 66th minute, 3-0



Nicklas Bendtner (deserved goal), 89th minute, 4-0



Go GUNNERS!! LET'S KNOCK DOWN NEWCASTLE UNITED!!

UEFA Champions League Qualifier: Twente 0-2 Arsenal

Wenger shows overconfident McClaren Who is Boss!!

Although the Twente questions had been searching, Arsenal managed to smuggle a vital 2-0 victory back from Arnhem on Wednesday night.

Arsène Wenger's weakened side were on the rack for most of this Champions League third qualification round first leg tie. Steve McClaren, in his first competitive game since England's defeat to Croatia last November, had asked his team to tear into Arsenal from the first whistle and they responded in style.

The visitors were on the back foot for most of the opening period and only really started to look the part when William Gallas turned in Robin Van Persie's free-kick in the 63rd minute.

Eight minutes from time, Emmanuel Adebayor added another to give the result a gloss Arsenal's performance did not deserve.

But they do deserve credit for their tenacity determination and professionalism on a night when, for once, Wenger's men struggled to find their rhythm.

This was the third time Arsenal have been in the qualifying stages, the third time they have been drawn away first and the third time they have brought a significant lead home.

However this was also the third time Wenger's men have been in the qualifying stages, the third time they have been drawn away first and the third time they have won 2-0.

This result has paved the way to the group stages twice before and it should do so again this year.

But this had been by far the toughest test.

Wenger selected the side widely predicted. With nine players absent for one reason or another, he did not have much choice. , just 17, came in for his debut. His 'senior' partner in central midfield was 20-year-old Denilson.

The full list of absentees was Senderos (hamstring), Kolo Toure (hip), Fabregas (hamstring), Diaby (thigh), Samir Nasri (knee/thigh), Eduardo(leg), Tomas Rosicky(hamstring), Amaury Bischoff (groin) and Alex Song (Olympics participation). As a result Wenger had to draw on the best of his youngsters. There were two teenagers in the starting line-up and the average age the Arsenal bench was a little over 19 years six months.

Twente had been forced to play this game at Vitesse Arnhem's Gelredome due to redevelopment work at their own ground. The move did nothing to dent the atmosphere before kick-off. The teams walked out to 'You'll never walk alone' and the opening stages were backed by feverish drums and bellowing songs from the Twente fans behind Manuel Almunia's goal.

And the home side seemed determined to match that pace early on.

Twente started like a runaway train as they tore into Arsenal in the first quarter of an hour. They had little to show for it apart from Romano Denneboom's header past the far post. But the Dutch side had shown they were not going to be in awe of their more illustrious opponents during this tie. And the first half would continue in that vein.

In the 18th minute, Luke Wilkshire robbed Theo Walcott in the centre circle and Theo Janssen sent Eljero Elia clear in the left-hand channel. Almunia managed to beat the Dutch Under-21 international to the ball and Arsenal mopped up the danger. But, yet again, the pace and sheer brute force of Twente had stretched the visitors.

By the midway point of the first half, Arsenal had forced a couple of corners but that was about it. They were struggling.

And in the 24th minute, they nearly fell behind. Denneboom ghosted past Denilson on the edge of the area and hastily hacked a shot over the bar. It was the first time Twente had truly prised Arsenal open but the 27-year-old lost his head and, with it, his chance.

The youth of Wenger's central midfield had been a worry before the game and certainly Arsenal were rarely retaining the ball for long. In the 31st minute Ramsey did send a speculative effort way over the bar from 30 yards. It was perhaps the first time Twente keeper Sander Boschker had needed even a flutter of concern.

But in the 36th minute the concern was all Arsenal's. Denneboom nudged Marko Arnautovic clear through the middle. However the striker's first touch was heavy and Almunia made the save. You sensed that might have been a key moment.

The game was starting to open up and Arsenal immediately went up the other end to create two clear-cut chances for an unlikely lead. First Van Persie bodyswerved himself some space on the right of the area but Cheick Tiote had to nod away from under his own bar. Then, from the corner, Boschker spilled Clichy's long-range thunderbolt and Sagna sliced the rebound past the post.

Four minutes from the break, Clichy explicably gave the ball to Arnautovic but the 19-year-old Austrian showed his youth by blazing the ball horribly wide.

It has been a torrid first half from an Arsenal's perspective.

The signs were better after the restart. Van Persie had an early drive blocked and on the hour Eboue went clear for a second only to be bundled off the ball before he could get a shot away.

In between those efforts, Twente had enjoyed plenty of pressure and were still peppering the Arsenal area. However there were noticeably fewer alarms for Almunia.

Although Arsenal were improving, it is right to say the visitors 'stole' the lead in the 63rd minute. Edson Braffheid hauled down Eboue on the right and Van Persie threaded a free-kick low into the heart of the area. It found Gallas at the near post and the captain bundled the ball home off his knee.

It was a scruffy but crucial away goal.

The strike left Twente subdued and Arsenal started to exude more confidence.

Eleven minutes from time Elia nudged the ball inside for Arnautovic to prod a shot into the sidenetting. But it would be the home side’s last real effort.

In the 83rd minute, Walcott set up Adebayor to slot in the second from close range.

The goal was testament to Arsenal's self-belief. The performance could be improved upon but, in difficult circumstances, they had done their job.

Despite the second goal, the home crowd kept singing and the home side kept going but, after that, their challenge was spents.

Twente will no doubt take much from this game. As for Arsenal, the result looks better on paper than it did on the night and perhaps that is all that matters.

That, and qualification to the group stages of course.

Highlights! Compiled by blizzard!

Gallas, 63rd minute, 0-1

Gallas 0-1 : FC Twente vs Arsenal
by Matthierry

Adebayor, 82nd minute, 0-2

Adebayor 0-2 vs Fc Twente
by Matthierry