Goodbye Italians, English Continues To Dominate

8 teams still remain in this season's UEFA Champions League.

1 of them is German giants, Bayern Munich.

Another is only remaining Portuguese side left, Porto.

2 more are from Spain, Barcelona and Villareal.

And the other 4 are the dominant English clubs, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

For the second successive season, the future of the cup remaining England is bright.

How did it all happen?

I am pretty sure all of you remember what happened a fortnight ago. If anyone needs reminding, just look it up in 2 of my previous posts.

But on the past 2 nights, the final verdict was out.

On Tuesday night, 5 times winner, Liverpool buried Spanish giant, Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield. They went through with the aggregate of 5-0. Chelsea also made it with the aggregate of 3-2 after a 2-2 draw in Turin against Juventus. Villarreal also progressed on the same aggregate over Greek's Panathinaikos. And the champion of the night is perhaps Bayern Munich who crushed Sporting Lisbon 7-1 to advance with the record aggregate of 12-1.

Last night, through Nemanja Vidic and Christiano Ronaldo, Manchester United kicked out Jose Mourinho's Internazionale. Ex-Gunner, Thierry Henry contributed 2 more goals as Barcelona defeated Lyon 5-2 to advance on a 6-2 aggregate. Porto and Atletico Madrid however played out to a goalless draw but the Portuguese side advance as they have 2 away goals after the 2 all draw in Madrid a fortnight ago. And lastly, my team, Arsenal, the Gunners.

This happened a fortnight ago.

Robin van Persie winning it for The Arsenal

Last night, the advantage was cancelled out early as Roma's defender, Juan scored in the 9th minute, a mistake that both Kolo Toure and William Gallas will not rue on. As the night passed, no more goals were scored. Then came extra time and although Arsenal looked like the better side among the two during the dying minutes, they lack the final touch to seal the match. So came the penalty shoot-outs.

The first to take was Arsenal's weekend hero, Eduardo and he misses!

Then came David Pizarro and he belted his kick to Manuel Almunia's right and it's 1-0 Roma.

Next was fortnight's match winner, van Persie and he sent Doni the wrong way and scores!

Vucinic then came on and took a dreadful penalty and Almunia saved easily! Now both sides have missed one and the score remained 1-1.

After 4 months out, Theo Walcott returned last week and he was next. He stepped up and scored for Arsenal!

2-2 as Julio Baptista thumped the ball emphatically into the top corner.

Frenchman, Samir Nasri stepped up, halted his run and then sent Doni the wrong way to give Arsenal a 3-2 lead.

Next came Vincenzo Montella who performed an audacious skip before side-footing into the bottom corner.

Young Brazillian, Denilson was next. And he scored.

The great Francesco Totti up next. He must score. And without a hint of nerves, he blasted his shot into his top right corner, with Almunia stationary.

Captain of the night, Toure next and he scored in unconvincing fashion. 5-4 to Arsenal.

Up next is Alberto Aquilani and he scored by sending Almunia the wrong way. The scoreline is once again tied.

Bacary Sagna scored with real composure.

6-6! John Arne Riise finished with aplomb - straight down the middle.

Arsenal regained the lead back as Diaby scored, with Doni barely moving as his effort goes to the right.

And then..

Max Tonneto stepped up..

and he kicked..

and he missed and Arsenal are through after beating Roma on penalties!

The joyous and despair one. Almunia is all smiles while Tonneto rues his missed kick

Denilson, Walcott, Nasri and Sagna running towards Almunia after the goalkeeper sealed the match for the Gunners

All was good for Arsenal

A happy lot

RVP celebrating after winning

So there you go. All 8 quarter finals teams decided and my favourite team is one of them. Now all I hope for is that Arsenal goes all the way and win the cup for the first time. That would really make my already good year.