Lehmann proves the hero as Arsenal reach final (Reuters) Updated: 2006-04-26 08:30
VILLARREAL, Spain - Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann saved a last-minute penalty
to earn the London side a place in their first Champions League final after a
0-0 draw against a dominant Villarreal on Tuesday.
The Germany keeper guessed right and dived to his left to block Juan Roman
Riquelme's spot kick after Jose Mari had gone down in the area two minutes from
time.
Arsenal went through 1-0 on aggregate and will meet Barcelona or AC Milan,
who play their semi-final second leg on Wednesday, in the final in Paris on May
17.
Villarreal made all the running in a ragged match but wasted their chances in
front of goal.
Arsenal, lacking their usual composure and flair, had to work hard to keep
the Spanish side at bay with Mexico striker Guillermo Franco and Uruguay's Diego
Forlan always dangerous.
It was their 10th clean sheet in succession in the competition, a record in
all European cup football. Lehmann, too, broke a goalkeeping record for the most
minutes in European football without conceding, clocking 12 hours 25 minutes.
The Madrigal was a sea of yellow with the 23,000 fans -- half the town's
population -- packing the stadium for the biggest game of Villarreal's first
Champions League season.
NEW-LOOK DEFENCE
Arsenal were fielding a new-look back four with Sol Campbell returning to the
centre of defence in place of the injured Philippe Senderos. Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger was forced to reshuffle his defence once more when Mathieu Flamini
left the pitch with a hamstring injury in the ninth minute.
Gael Clichy replaced the Swiss left back and Villarreal were quick to take
advantage of the uncertainty in the Arsenal defence.
With Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme pulling the strings in midfield,
Villarreal gradually stepped up the pressure and Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann had
to react quickly to save a low drive from Sorin after an intricate passing move
on the left.
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