New Delhi: Arsenal booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after an epic penalty shootout win over Roma.
The first leg at the Emirates a fortnight ago had ended with Arsenal winning 1-0, so all was to play for at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, the Giallorossi had to contend with an absolutely endless injury list for this crucial match. Perrotta, Cassetti, Cicinho and Mexes were all injured or ill, Daniele De Rossi was suspended, and Christian Panucci was left out of the Champions League squad. Alberto Aquilani failed a late fitness test, but Juan, David Pizarro, Mirko Vucinic and Francesco Totti were all able to start despite problems.
Arsenal were not without a few injuries of their own, as Emmanuel Adebayor, Mickael Silvestre, Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky were all missing. Kolo Toure recovered from a calf muscle strain to start in defence. Theo Walcott was back, but he started from the bench.
First Half
Roma had the first attempt of the game, as Totti pulled a corner back to the edge of the area for John Arne Riise, whose thunderbolt was blocked by a defender.
Juan suffered an injury to his calf, but he was able to continue after treatment, and just minutes later the Brazilian defender gave Roma the lead. Totti's low cross from the left was dummied by Rodrigo Taddei, and Juan was at the back post to fire the ball past Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal were having all the possession, but it took until the 17th minute for them to register their first effort, as Abou Diaby headed over from Robin Van Persie's cross. Doni also had to be alert to clutch a headed effort from William Gallas.
On 22 minutes, Roma twice went close to doubling their lead. Motta surged forward from right back and forced Almunia into a fine save at his near-post. Motta recollected the ball and fed Taddei, whose daisycutter was pushed around the post by the goalkeeper.
Roma were playing well, but they received a big blow on 27 minutes as, having failed to recover from his earlier injury, Juan was forced off injured. Julio Baptista replaced him, forcing a tactical reshuffle as Riise moved into the centre of defence, and Tonetto went to left back.
Diaby had been Arsenal's best performer in the first half, and he bombarded forward and bulleted in a header from 12 yards, but unfortunately for him it was directed straight at Doni. All of Arsenal's efforts were surprisingly coming in the air, and Van Persie nodded over the bar from a similar position to Diaby.
Bang on 45 minutes there was huge controversy as Motta roasted past Clichy inside the area, and appeared to be pulled down by the Frenchman, but referee Manuel Gonzalez turned away. Roma players were absolutely furious, and surrounded the referee as he left the pitch, with Totti even recklessly grabbing his arm.
Second Half
Four minutes into the second half, and Roma missed another great chance as a fantastic team move ended with Pizarro crossing into the middle, but Baptista headed wide when all alone.
Riise tested Almunia with a long-range free kick, but Arsenal threatened from a corner as Gallas headed straight into the arms of Doni.
Totti fired a speculative volley wide from 25 yards, as the game visibly started to open up around the hour mark. The same player shot straight at Almunia from a similar distance.
Diaby continued to be Arsenal's best player, and on 64 minutes he threw a dummy on the edge of the box before firing a low left foot shot not far wide.
The game quietened down for a while, and the next effort to arrive came from the boot of Motta, who fizzed wide from 30 yards. Arsenal made their first change of the game on 73 minutes, as Walcott replaced Emmanuel Eboue.
On 79 minutes, Roma missed a truly golden opportunity to possibly win the tie. Totti cut the ball back to Baptista six yards out, and it seemed impossible for 'The Beast' to miss, but he somehow scuffed his shot completely.
The game then moved inevitably towards extra time, but Arsenal twice went close in injury time as first Van Persie fired wide, and then Toure headed over from close range.
There was still time for another Roma player to bite the dust as Taddei was stretchered off, and replaced by Aquilani.
Extra Time
Roma had the first effort of extra time as Totti's thunderbolt cannoned off Vucinic and over the bar.
The home side were now having all the possession, but they were almost caught out on 103 minutes, as Nasri crossed for Van Persie who sliced over.
After the turn of ends, Nasri wasted a fine three on two opportunity when he crossed out of play, while Walcott forced Doni into a low save. Totti sliced horribly wide down the other end.
The game went to penalty kicks, as it became a test of nerves and luck. Eduardo stepped up first for Arsenal, but Doni guessed right and saved. Pizarro and Van Persie made no mistake, but Vucinic shot straight at Almunia. Walcott, Baptista, Nasri, Montella, Denilson and Totti all scored, so it went to sudden death. Toure and Aquilani scored, so did Sagna and Riise, so did Diaby, but Tonetto skied over and Arsenal triumphed 7-6 on penalties.
Teams
Roma: Doni; Motta, Diamoutene, Juan (Baptista 27), Riise; Tonetto, Pizarro, Brighi, Taddei (Aquilani 90); Vucinic, Totti
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Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy; Diaby, Denilson; Van Persie, Nasri, Eboue (Walcott 73); Bendtner (Eduardo 84)
Goals
Juan 9 (R)
Penalties
Eduardo (A) - Missed
Pizarro (R) - Scored
Van Persie (A) - Scored
Vucinic (R) - Missed
Walcott (A) - Scored
Baptista (R) - Scored
Nasri (A) - Scored
Montella (R) - Scored
Denilson (A) - Scored
Totti (R) - Scored
Toure (A) - Scored
Aquilani (R) - Scored
Sagna (A) - Scored
Riise (R) - Scored
Diaby (A) - Scored
Tonetto (R) - Missed
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