Abou Diaby was a monster in the middle once again. His end product was not always perfect but he won many tackles and drove Arsenal forward on occasions when we had to defend deep

Match Review – Roma 1(1) Arsenal 0(1) – (Arsenal win 7-6 on penalties)

Talk about going the long way around to achieve what we wanted. The game should have been dead and buried in the first leg at the Emirates but it was not to be, Roma used this as a way of motivating themselves they fought us every inch of the way for a place in the quarter finals.

Wenger kept the same side that dominated Roma in the first game, Bendtner was drafted back in on the left with Nasri floating behind Van Persie, Eboue who completed 90 minutes in midweek against Burnley started on the right.

Roma had certainly learnt their lesson from the first game and pressed us all over the pitch, this was not a traditional Arsenal vs Italian side, usually we set the tempo and dominate the game this time round Roma came out flying out of the traps, our players did not have the time they usually do in the Champions League and we were under pressure from the very start.

It only took the home side 9 minutes to claw themselves back into the tie, central defender Juan who suffered an injury moments before managed to squeeze the ball in from close range after a defensive mix up between Toure and Gallas, it appeared that neither player knew who would take responsibility and clear from danger. Almunia got a touch on his body but it was not enough to take it past the post.

I must admit I feared for the team at that point, we haven’t got our football started and the home team are putting enormous amounts of pressure on us. Usually when we start well we go on to win matches, quite often when we start badly, it often ends up that way.

Much of our football was breaking down in the final third with Bendtner, Van Persie and Nasri doing everything right apart from that final pass or shot that was needed to break through Roma.

William Gallas had a header saved from a difficult angle but after 20 minutes or so it was the only half chance that we had created.

Minutes later Roma gave the Arsenal goal a hammering with Taddei having two powerful strikes saved by Almunia. Vucinic ‘s movement was causing us problems.

The Arsenal formation was not working as it did in the first leg, Van Persie was looking very isolated during the first half and did not have the pace to stretch Roma on the break, so much of what he did, wasn’t quite coming off.

Van Persie himself had a header over the bar after a deep cross by Nasri 5 minutes before half time.

Minutes before the half time whistle, the referee could have changed the outcome of the game by not awarding a penalty kick to Roma after Clichy looked to have bundled down Marco Motta in the penalty area. The referee waved play on, much to disappointment and anger from the Roma players, bench and supporters.

Speaking of which, I hope many season ticket holders at the Emirates learn a thing or two about making noise at a football ground. The Romans were incredibly intimidating from the first whistle and it made me nervous for the players let alone the players themselves.

I mentioned how important the midfield battle was in my match preview and Roma did very well in that area, Denilson was not having the same influence that he had in the first leg but Abou Diaby was a monster in the middle once again. His end product was not always perfect but he won many tackles and drove Arsenal forward on occasions when we had to defend deep.

After half time Bacary Sagna had a headered saved when in a great position to equalise.

Apart from the goal conceded Arsenal defended very well as we have of late, Roma were equally strong at the back so clear chances were limited. As the game wore on, Arsenal’s younger legs started taking over the possession.

Roma had a great chance to win the game 10 minutes before the end, Julio Baptista miskicked in front of Almunia’s goal after a neat Totti pass.

Was this fate? Penalty turned down on the stroke of half time and now Baptista missing when almost easier to score.

Bendtner was replaced by Eduardo late in the game but without any chances for almost 90 minutes I couldn’t see how Eduardo would make any difference to the game.

Kolo Toure could have wrapped up the game before the final whistle with a close range header that flew over the bar from close range.

The game went into extra time and Arsenal took over the game without creating anymore chances, Roma were looking very tired and were clinging on for penalties.

Extra flew past without any goals so it was the dreaded penalties.

Eduardo missed for Arsenal, and Van Persie, Walcott, Nasri, Denilson, Toure, Sagna and Diaby scored for Arsenal. Sagna’s penalty was probably the only one that was well taken, the rest of them could well have been saved had the keeper guessed the correct way but luck was with Arsenal for a change.

Vucinic’s penalty looked like a pro evo player who didn’t press left or right. Roma converted all the rest until Tonneto blasted over.

This was Arsenal’s best and happiest defeat of the season.