Champions League - Semi-Final

Arsenal take on Villarreal at El Madrigal stadium in Spain in the second leg of the Champions League Semi-final tonight. Arsenal have soaked up plenty of pressure, but remained on target for the Champions League final after a goalless first half.

The second half is delayed as a pitch invader runs on to present a bemused Henry with a Barcelona shirt - funny stuff.

46 mins: The second half is uder way in Spain, with neither side having made a change at the break.

49 mins: Villarreal almost ahead after a thumping header from Franco. The big striker rises above Toure but heads it just the wrong side of Lehmann's left post.

54 mins: Arsene Wenger has to be worried now with Arsenal having yet to threaten the Villarreal goal at all in almost an hour of football. At the other end the hosts are getting closer.

65 mins: Shots: Villarreal=9, Arsenal= 0! - Arsenal are very lucky still to be on terms. there is still more that 25 minutes to go - a goal on the break could really relieve the pressure! A goal for Villarreal could see Arsenal out before Full-Time!

69 mins: Arsenal free-kick in a promising position down the left. Fabregas swings it in and Campbell gets a head to the ball but it sails out harmlessly for a Villarreal goal-kick. Arsenal's first shot only took 70 minutes to arrive !? And from a defender!?
I've probably got friends at the game, if Arsenal make it, they might be glad of it, but what a terrible game to watch if you're a Gooner!

70 mins: Less than 20 minutes left now as Ljungberg is left in a heap after tangling with Pena. The Villarreal defender crudley just bumped into Ljungberg, who has had to come off for treatment as a result. Then Ljungberg gets back in the thick of things and the Swede does brilliantly to get back and stop the advancing Josi Mari in the area. The Spaniard then aims a kick at Ljungberg, who has been in the wars in these past few minutes! Free-kick to Arsenal.

Meanwhile Villa of the Aston kind are entertaining Man City in a game that means nothing (although a point David O'Leary's men will guarantee Villa from the drop). Man City are 1-0 up with 20 minutes to go.

76 mins: Villarreal almost create another chance for Sorin in the area but Campbell does well to somehow get the ball away at the second time of asking.

80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now with Arsenal within touching distance of a Champions League final for the first time in their history. Arsenal free-kick some 35 yards out and Henry tries a rather ambitious effort that cracks straight against the Villarreal wall.

85 mins: Villarreal looking a little ragged now as they chase the elusive equalizer that would keep this semi-final alive. Senna pumps a long ball forward but Arsenal clear through Toure. With less than five minutes remaining Riquelme works the ball to Jose Mari who crosses from the right but Campbell does well to head clear.

88 mins: CRAP! Clichy is called for a push on Jose Mari in the area. Villafrreal have a very dubious penalty that Riquelme will take.

89 mins: Amazing! Lehman guesses right and saves Riquelme's spot kick. It was a decent height to be fair but what a stop from the big German.

90 mins: There will be three minutes of injury-time as Sorin sends a deep cross into the Arsenal half.

90+1 mins: Henry almost seals the tie but Barbosa saves well from five yards out. At the other end Riquelme looks on into space. The Argentine probably can't believe what has just happened.

90+2 mins: That's it the referee blows up early and Arsenal are through to the Champions League final for the first time in their history - what will Henry do with that Barca shirt now!? It was a terrible game from Arsenal (Lehmans last minute penalty save aside) with only 1 shot on goal, but a job done and atrip to Paris for this very French London-based team.