Villarreal striker Diego Forlan admitted they were fortunate to win last night's late penalty - which was saved by Arsenal's Jens Lehmann.
Gael Clichy was punished for pushing Jose Mari in the area.
But former Manchester United striker Forlan watched in horror as Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann saved Riquelme's effort.
Forlan said: "I didn't think it was a penalty. With respect to Riquelme, I don't think anybody should blame him. He had the guts to take it and he missed - it can happen to anybody.
"I haven't spoken to him because there is nothing to say. I want to give him some space to be with his family at this time. He is obviously gutted."
Arsenal midfield hero Freddie Ljungberg was stunned by the penalty.
He blasted: "It was so cruel I couldn't believe it. It was a cheap penalty. But Lehmann was absolutely fantastic and he saved that as well.
"The penalty-taker always has a huge advantage. But to take a penalty with two minutes left in that situation in a Champions League semi-final is not that easy either."
Ljungberg is having blood drained from his swollen right foot after every match. He said: "I have a lot of pain, but who cares! It's absolutely fantastic. What a night.
"We got a little bit too defensive but the most important thing for us was not to attack - as long as it was 0-0 we were in the final.
"It doesn't matter who we play, it's going to be a great final. We will play our way to win - that means attacking football."
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini said: "We had four or five chances and were better than Arsenal were at Highbury. We deserve to be in the final in Paris."
Gael Clichy was punished for pushing Jose Mari in the area.
But former Manchester United striker Forlan watched in horror as Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann saved Riquelme's effort.
Forlan said: "I didn't think it was a penalty. With respect to Riquelme, I don't think anybody should blame him. He had the guts to take it and he missed - it can happen to anybody.
"I haven't spoken to him because there is nothing to say. I want to give him some space to be with his family at this time. He is obviously gutted."
Arsenal midfield hero Freddie Ljungberg was stunned by the penalty.
He blasted: "It was so cruel I couldn't believe it. It was a cheap penalty. But Lehmann was absolutely fantastic and he saved that as well.
"The penalty-taker always has a huge advantage. But to take a penalty with two minutes left in that situation in a Champions League semi-final is not that easy either."
Ljungberg is having blood drained from his swollen right foot after every match. He said: "I have a lot of pain, but who cares! It's absolutely fantastic. What a night.
"We got a little bit too defensive but the most important thing for us was not to attack - as long as it was 0-0 we were in the final.
"It doesn't matter who we play, it's going to be a great final. We will play our way to win - that means attacking football."
Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini said: "We had four or five chances and were better than Arsenal were at Highbury. We deserve to be in the final in Paris."
