Arsenal down Villarreal in UEFA semis

Villarreal (Spain): Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saved Juan Roman Riquelme's late penalty kick and Arsenal drew 0-0 with Villarreal on Tuesday to reach its first Champions League final.

The English team advanced 1-0 on aggregate, but was dominated by the small-town team from eastern Spain at El Madrigal stadium in the second leg.

Arsenal, who were making its first appearance in the Champions League semifinals like Villarreal, will play FC Barcelona or AC Milan in the title match at the Stade de France in Paris on May 17.

Arsenal remained unbeaten in 12 Champions League games this season, the last 10 without conceding a goal.

"We were a bit lucky tonight," Wenger said. "It is a fantastic achievement and the team has great character. We didn't manage to play tonight. I don't know if that was for physical reasons or psychological reasons."

The 89th-minute penalty came when referee Valentin Ivanov whistled reserve defender Gael Clichy for knocking over substitute forward Jose Mari Romero from behind as the two battled for a high ball. Riquelme put his attempt right, where Lehman dived and blocked the shot.

In the fourth minute, striker Guillermo Franco wasted the first of several Villarreal chances when he shot over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

In front of a crowd of more than 20,000, Villarreal dominated the first half with Riquelme troubling an Arsenal defence that had Sol Campbell making his return after missing several months.

Villarreal midfielder Juan Pablo Sorin's low shot in the 17th was caught by Lehmann, while right back Javi Venta's low cross sailed through the goal area untouched in the 37th.

With Henry largely uninvolved in attack and midfielder Cesc Fabregas regularly misplacing his passes, Arsenal didn't threaten Villarreal goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa.

Lehmann held Riquelme's low free kick just before halftime as Arsenal clung onto its lead from Kolo Toure's goal at London's Highbury last week.

Franco headed two chances just wide in the 48th and 54th minutes, and Diego Forlan almost scored when his side-footed shot missed in the 64th.

Franco had the ball in the net three minutes later, but Ivanov disallowed the goal for offside.

With time waning, however, Riquelme was presented with the chance to equalize from the penalty spot and take the game into extra time.

"Understandably, the players are shattered," Pellegrini said. "I'm very proud of my players, who were very superior to a great team."