Villareal 0 - 0 Arsenal (Arsenal advance 1-0 on aggregate)

“I love Paris in the springtime…”

Jens Lehmann’s amazing save from Riqueleme’s 89th minute penalty kick sees Arsenal hold on for a 0-0 draw tonight in Villareal, sending the Gunners to the first European Cup/UEFA Champions League Final in their 120 year history.

It was rough going for Arsenal, who looked to be playing a strange 6-3-1 formation, and in fact, the Gunners failed to record a shot on goal during the entire first half.

Sol Campbell returned to the side, in for the injured Phil Senderos, and played well for the most part. The defense was stretched even more thinly when Matthew Flamini was forced out with a hamstring pull. Gael Clichy made his first appearance since returning from injury, and he too, played well. However, it was Clichy whose challenge on reknowned diver Jose Mari, which earned the Yellow Submarines their penalty kick.

I was literally pacing the room during the moments leading up to the kick, and then jumped around the room with joy upon seeing Mad Jens make the save.

So, it’s off to Paris for the Gunners, and it would be sweet, sweet revenge for Arsenal should they win the whole thing. Doing so would not only be a great thing in and of itself, but it would also deny the cheating Scum from up the Seven Sisters Road a place in the Champions League next season.

Barcelona and AC Milan face off tomorrow to determine who will face Arsenal in the Final. Barca hold a 1-0 advantage, a goal they scored in Milan, so it seems most likely that it will be an Arsenal v Barcelona final on May 17th.

I’ve already scheduled my half day.