Arsenal progressed to the last eight of the Champions League after a penalty shoot-out win over Roma.
Arsenal defeat Roma 7-6 on penalties as Tonetto blazes over
Arsenal progressed to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League after a 7-6 penalty shoot-out victory over Roma at Stadio Olimpico.
The game went to extra-time after Juan had pulled the aggregate scoreline to 1-1, but neither side could find the breakthrough and the match was forced to penalties.
Eduardo failed for Arsenal before Mirko Vucinic also saw his spot-kick saved, and then Max Tonetto blazed his effort over to send the travelling Arsenal support into delirium.
After a bright start in an intimidating atmosphere, the Gunners were dealt a hammer blow after just nine minutes when unconvincing defending allowed Francesco Totti to roll a low ball across goal and the unmarked Juan to slot home at the back post.
Arsene Wenger's side were under much pressure for the remainder of the first half, and Roma had a strong shout for a penalty prior to the interval when Gael Clichy sent Marco Motta tumbling in the box. But referee Manuel Gonzalez waved away appeals.
The visitors improved after the break but were still unable to force Doni into a meaningful save, despite bringing on Theo Walcott and Eduardo, and it was former Gunner loanee Julio Baptista who missed a golden chance prior to the end of normal time.
However, the match was to be decided on the dreaded penalty shoot-out as Arsenal held their nerve to secure their passage to the quarter-finals.
Swept
Roma had started the better, and it was no surprise when they took the lead.
Arsenal failed to clear their lines, as Totti swept a low cross into the penalty area, which was completely missed by both William Gallas and Kolo Toure and went through the legs of Rodrigo Taddei.
The ball rolled all the way to Juan at the far post, and the Brazilian defender thumped his shot past Manuel Almunia.
The goal for the home side lifted the already electric atmosphere inside the Stadio Olimpico, which will host the Champions League final in May.
It also opened the match up as the Gunners - unbeaten in 17 games before tonight - now had to score to progress in normal time.
After 20 minutes, Abou Diaby found himself in a good position at the far post following a corner - but could not direct the ball with enough power to test Roma keeper Doni.
At the other end, Almunia was called into action twice in quick succession.
First the Spaniard denied Motta with a strong block at the near post before tipping the follow-up strike from Taddei behind at full stretch.
Arsenal were on the back foot now, as the home fans cranked up the volume in a sustained spell of pressure.
Ten minutes before the break Clichy got away down the left, and floated over a cross into the area.
Abou Diaby arrived to meet it on the penalty spot, but his header was straight at Doni.
In the final moments of the first half, Roma were screaming for a penalty when Motta charged into the right side of the Arsenal box and went down under the challenge of Clichy.
The referee, though, was unimpressed - much to the disgust of the home fans, with television replays suggesting they had a strong case.
The Italians started the second half brightly and substitute Baptista - who had a loan spell with Arsenal - came close to connecting with a right-wing cross as he arrived at pace in the six-yard box.
In a rare moment of action at the other end, Bacary Sagna almost squeezed a near-post header in from a corner, but Doni was well
