think the first leg proved that we have the tempo and talent to threaten defences, whereas the second leg proved that we can dig deep

Just got back from Rome last night, here’s a few thoughts I’ve quickly cobbled together:

Firstly, I haven’t trawled through NewsNow to see the reaction to the game, but I gather it was mixed. This baffles me. Sure, we didn’t play very well and chances created were at a premium, but in the cold light of day we knocked out a team desperate to get to the final being held on their own patch. By hook or by crook, we did it. And over the two legs I’d say we deserved it – simply because our dominance of them in the first leg was greater than their dominance of us on Wednesday. For so many years the media and some fans have bemoaned the lack of fighting spirit in our team and all that crap. And now that we’re showing it in abundance, our lack of flair is highlighted. I think the first leg proved that we have the tempo and talent to threaten defences, whereas the second leg proved that we can dig deep. To paraphrase a great man: sometimes sausage and mash is more filling than caviar.

Secondly, how on earth Rome can host the final is beyond me. The stadium is pretty good but largely inaccessible – if it weren’t for the buses provided by the Club from the city centre, lord knows how 3,000 Gooners would have got there relatively safely. Due to the location of my hotel, I actually didn’t go via the buses. Instead I got my head down and walked it (a horrible walk, if I may add). In hindsight this was a good move as I am alive and we’ve all heard the stories about the Ultras chucking stuff at our buses and invading them. While this was apparently an isolated incident, I do wonder whether it is wise to make such an obvious target of ourselves by being surrounded by the local ‘Polizia’. It is definitely a quandary – and that alone should be reason enough to strip Rome of the honour.

Thirdly, ALL Italian women are stunning. If Andrey Arshavin didn’t already have a missus, I’m sure he would have been itching for a move to Milan, Rome or Turin to utilise his “fashion degree skills” !

And finally, a point about the travelling faithful. In the face of the vociferous Roman fans (and my word, they were loud), we more than held our own. I think the barrage of coins and bottles coming our way actually added fuel to our fire. If only we could transfer that noise to the Emirates and make it a daunting cauldron for away teams. The Club could also play a part in this by instructing the stewards to relax a little… *bangs his head against a brick wall*

After the game we were locked inside the stadium for a good hour-and-a-half. God forbid what the mood would’ve been like if we’d lost. Instead it was pretty jovial, with chants of “We’re on our way” and “We’ll be back again in May”. I think if we’d known that the man to miss the crucial penalty was Max Tonetto, we would have launched into a rendition of “Just one Tonetto, give it to me…” (to the tune in the Cornetto advert).

Now I am no lyrical genius, but I have a suggestion for one more European song this season. I’m not sure if it has already done the rounds or not on the Arsenal blogosphere, but to the tune of “Tell me more, tell me more, was it love at first sight” :

Tell me ‘ma, tell me ‘ma

To put the champagne on ice

Tell me ‘ma, tell me ‘ma

Because we’re going Rome twice

I believe the Everton fans used this chant on their UEFA Cup travails last season (with the final being play at Man City’s Eastlands). So if we can nick the Eduardo tune from the Liverpool Scousers, I see no harm in doing the same from their Blue brothers!