ARSENAL are through to the Champions League quarter-finals after surviving a thrilling penalty shoot-out against Roma.
The Gunners were second best for most of the game but Max Tonetto missed his spot kick to put Arsene Wenger's team into the last eight.
Eduardo saw his opening effort saved by Alexander Doni, then David Pizzaro netted but Mirko Vucinic stabbed his straight at Manuel Almunia two kicks later.Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Julio Baptista, Samir Nasri, Vincenzo Montella and Denilson all scored, before Francesco Totti stepped up to send the shoot-out into sudden death at 4-4.
Kolo Toure coolly dispatched his effort, as did Sagna and then Alberto Aquilani and John Arne Riise did the same for the Italians.
With the tally at 6-6, Diaby slotted home before the pressure got to Tonetto as he blazed the ball over to send the travelling Gunners fans into euphoria.
Arsenal boss Wenger hailed his team’s mental strength following their shoot-out triumph.
He said: “We needed to show our nerve tonight and determination.
“We were a bit nervous at the start and gave a goal away more by nerves than them creating the chance.
“I must pay tribute to the nerves of my team. There is something in there that comes out, that is huge mental strength.
“Our character has been questioned many times. I’ve said many times that this team is very strong.
“It was a very edgy game to manage for both managers. I must say they played very well.
“It was very hard because 10 minutes before half-time we were just desperate to equalise that we opened ourselves up to counter-attacks. That’s what they wanted.
“We had to be structured but that was hard because they defended so well."
This season’s Champions League final will be played at the Stadio Olimpico, but Ivory Coast defender Toure believes his side will have to improve if they are to return for the showpiece match on May 27.
He said: “The first 10 minutes was not very good. We didn’t pass the ball very well.
“As the game went on we played better, but we couldn’t score the goal that would send us through.
“There are some very good teams out there. We will need to play better than tonight.”
Spanish stopper Almunia also praised the spirit of his side.
He made just one save in the penalty shoot-out to deny Vucinic, but it was enough as the Gunners’ spot-kick takers held their nerve before Tonetto sent the decisive 16th penalty high over the crossbar.
Almunia said: “My heart was nearly out. I’m sorry I couldn’t have saved more than one.
"In the end it was enough and I am so happy to go through to the next round.
“Roma took some good penalties. It was difficult to save them as they have so much quality.
“I’m just so happy for my team-mates because they kept their nerve and showed their maturity in the penalty shoot-out. I’m proud.”
Brazilian defender Juan capitalised on some poor defending to fire Roma in front after just nine minutes of the match.
The Gunners – who left England winger Walcott and Croatia hitman Eduardo on the bench – offered little attacking threat, with Diaby heading their best chance straight at the keeper.
Arsenal were on the back foot, as the home fans cranked up the volume in a sustained spell of early pressure.
After 26 minutes, Pizarro was cautioned for pulling over Nasri as the Frenchman looked to break from the centre circle.
The home side were forced into a change when goalscorer Juan limped off, to be replaced by former Arsenal loan player Julio Baptista.
Ten minutes before the break Gael Clichy got away down the left, and floated over a cross into the area.
Diaby arrived to meet it on the penalty spot, but his header was straight at Doni.
After 41 minutes, Robin van Persie headed Nasri’s right-wing cross over after ghosting in at the near post.
Emmanuel Eboue then blasted wide after good work on the edge of the Roma penalty area.
The hosts were screaming for a penalty when Marco Motta charged into the right side of the Arsenal box and went down under the challenge of Clichy, but the referee waved their claims away.
Diaby went into the book for a late sliding challenge on Riise as the defender broke down the left shortly after the re-start.
And Baptista came within inches of connecting with a right-wing cross as he arrived at pace in the Arsenal six-yard box.
Almunia held on to a low, long-range strike from Riise following a free-kick as Roma threatened to take the overall lead in the tie.
In a rare moment of action at the other end, Sagna almost squeezed a near-post header in from a corner, but Doni was well positioned in the Roma goal.
Arsene Wenger turned to Walcott with 17 minutes left, as the England winger replaced Eboue.
In a huge let off for the Barclays Premier League club, Baptista somehow managed to miss his kick with the goal there for the taking as the ball came across into the six-yard box.
Eduardo came on for Nicklas Bendtner with five minutes left and Toure headed over from close range in the dying moments – but there was no way through as the tie went to extra-time.
And with neither side able to score again during the additional thirty minutes.
But the Gunners held their nerve and booked their place in the last eight of Europe's elite competition.
