Finally the wait of over two months finished when a resilient Arsenal side beat in a thrilling penalty shootout AS Roma at their own venue, aiming to return again next May. And for God's sake Miss Sensi, stop talking nonsense. It was strange that Arsene does not line Song after his great performance last Sunday. Cetainly the Gunners have the edge and a goaless draw or even a one-goal equalizer would be a blessing for Arsenal's silverware European aspirations.
With a difficult and strange Roma side attacking, Arsenal had several approaches towards the home goal. Arsenal's possession was strongly opposed by Roma's defensive prowess. Bendtner slipped at 7' and Nasri cross at 2' among the most important Arsenal arrivals in the first ten minutes. But it was Totti who found Juan inside the box in the far post. Reaching the 15th minute the Capitoline side had the edge defending. With Roma's defense struggling as the attempts rose, it was through corners that Arsenal grabbed several chances, among them Diaby's 18' header. Things were slowly swaying towards the English side at 22' but again Almunia had two saves on Toti and Vucinic. Apparently taken off by an injury, Juan was substituted by Julio Baptista. Diaby and Nasri's efforts were among the best for Arsenal in the thirty minute period. Regarding Bendtner's performance Soccernet's Matchcast live commentaries says it all: "It's very much Jekyll and Hyde with Bendtner. He takes it in turns with each involvement to look a good footballer, then a rubbish one." David Young also referred to it as Arsenal's Jekyll and Hyde season. Again Vucinic had several chances wide then the match swayed from minutes from Roma's dominance to Arsenal's.
Arsenal's momentum, as second half started, relieved many Gooners with a strong display earning more confidence to go for the lead in the following forty five minutes. The obvious gaps in Arsenal's defense were beginning to open and by the 59' Vucininc had a long one way entrance. The Londoners won the upperhand and performed another rampage of attacks; Bendtner's 63' poor header, wide Diaby shot at 65'. Roma's desperation was clearly seen on the player's face: with the 70' mark approaching Arsenal did more than the Italian side. The dirty Italian tactics, for what the mediterranean sides are famous for, began to appear, now with Pizarro's acting. The following minutes became more and more suffering for the visiting side, Vucinic's danger as looming in the left side while Totti and his mastery footwork were enough in any minute to give Roma the edge.
Finally Walcott came in. The final fifteen minutes were a one-side show by the Gunners; the distant and different Italian side struggled to past midfield. Sagna prowess gave the Gunners another hope for earning a late victory. Julio Baptista bummer ensured the visitors a second chance, when entering the 81st minute. The away defense were merely holding with glimpses of Gallas' idiocy showing up, but everything was under control.
Fortunately enough for Bendtner, whose horrid performance was even below his par, which is quite low by the way, Eduardo came in for the last six and so minutes. After the booking of Motta, nearly in the 90th minute, Arsenal's last rampage came; with three minutes added van Persie shot went just wide from left as well as three inbox headers. Of course, rat business came from Roma players in the last minutes, with Tadei as the first dramatic personae on scene. So antoher thirty minutes were added to the equalizing.
The true physical and mental endurance of the Gunners was to be proven in this last gasp episode, and with all the other teams already qualified the last of the four English sides was about to face their destiny. And if it were one side which proved to be the one who wanted the lead was Arsenal; van Persie fed by Eduardo had a clear chance but was brougth down by Riise. While the London side got distracted the Romans went on attacking but nothing more than a wide Totti shot, at 100th. Following minutes Roma stroke with all their might and the game was an end to end disparity. Nasri led the Gunners resistance and certainly one of his best matches since arriving at the Grove. The game was turning harsher and the final seconds saw more denials from both sides aganist each other.
The last game period was certainly a tough burden for both sides. If Roma had any chacne in the first extra time, now it was nulified since the Gunners looked for the lead. But still it was Vucinic who had kept Arsenal's defence busy. Walcott's shot was harmless for Doni, at 110'. Roma players, all dried up, had their final attack with yet another wide Totti shot. But Aquilani, still fresh set up Baptista who bumped into Arsenal defense. With five minutes to go Roman players began to show the scars of battle. The penalty shootout was evident. In the last minutes the long balls, and desperate clearances by both sides were the sum up. Theo's runs were invalidated twice, for alleged fouls. Penalties, the suffering of English teams, were to come, Arsenal to start.
| Roma | Pizarro, On | Vucinic, Miss | Baptista, On | Montella, On | Totti, On | Aquilani, On | Riise, On | Tonetto, Miss | |
| Arsenal | Eduardo, Miss | van Persie, On | Walcott, On | Nasri, On | Denilson, On | Toure, On | Sagna, On | Diaby, On |
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