Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth – 16/12/06 – (Barclays Premiership) 17 December, 2006

Another terrible first half. Wigan was bad and I expected improvements but we were shocking. We started with Aliadiere and RVP up front in a 4-4-2 but Ljungberg picked up and injury in the 7th minute and Theo Walcott replaced him. So we had quite an attacking side out but we were just appalling. We had a couple of chances form forced errors but we didn’t create anything. I was sitting very high up and dead in the centre behind the goal so I could see exactly how the team was shaping up and forming their moves…or lack of them. After 40mins I’d had enough and it was a rare early trip into the concourses at half time. I was not happy with the team and I knew we would have to start fresh in the second half. As I was queuing up for my drink a bad 1st half just got even worse as Pompey scored.

Portsmouth weren’t great themselves but to be fair they are not a great side. They didn’t create a great deal like us but they kept the ball well and did look dangerous. The goal was scored by Noe Pamarot with the last move of the half, Portsmouth got a free kick 30 yards out on the right wing. The ball was whipped in and it hit the post, for some reason Lehmann decided to dive into the net so when Pamarot was unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box he was able to head into an empty net. I was not happy but I didn’t think this game was lost.

The second half started and the first half ended, with another Pompey goal. We won the ball near the corner flag by stupidly gave it straight away again, the ball was crossed in to the back post were an unmarked man in blue shot at goal. It took couple of deflections and was set nicely for Mathew Taylor to volley on the edge of the box, it looped over Lehmann and went into the far corner of the goal, another good goal for Taylor and for the first time at the Grove we were 2-0 down.

That second blow made me feel sick, I was just walking to my seat when they scored and I was still upset at the first goal. I felt like leaving because we were never going to score two goals the way we played in the first half. The atmosphere was shit up to now and no wonder the team don’t do well at home, as we sat there in silence Pompey were singing, “You’re supposed to be at home!” Too right they are, yesterday’s game had the worst atmosphere out of all the games this season. However after we went two down the crowd perked up. The second goal was scored in the 47th minutes so at least we had a fair amount of time to sort it out.

Adebayor was brought on after their goal and he changed the game, with his first move he got into the box and had a penalty appeal turned down. Three minutes after coming on, Ade started our comeback scoring passed David James. Hleb played a fantastic through ball to Walcott from the halfway line and Theo was past the defence on the right ready to cross it in. He kept it low and Adebayor had forced his way ahead of Campbell and tapped the ball to the ‘keeper’s left. 2-1, come on Arsenal.

We needed to keep that momentum to score again and we did, two minutes later. Adebayor crossed in from inside the box, it went past the box and Walcott knocked it back to Gilberto who was on the corner of the six yard box, he shot on the turn and it trickled past James and sneaked into the far corner. Ashburton Grove erupted and we were back level at 2-2.

2-0 down I thought this match was lost and I thought Portsmouth were going to be the team to stop our unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium. The atmosphere was electric now as the Gooners’ tried to inspire our team to complete an incredible comeback. We had a few good chances to nick the third but we wouldn’t have deserved the win anyway. We were shit the first half and not amazing in the second, arseblogger is right, questions have to be asked of yesterday’s team. And don’t forget the manager. Arsene was dismissed from the bench after arguing with the referee at half time. The team selection was a bit of a shock, gilbertosilver and I couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Aliadiere warming up. I said I’d like for him to do well, he didn’t do badly but he actually did nothing, Sol Campbell had him in his pocket and was not causing Pompey any problems.

His replacement was fantastic though. Adebayor had one of his better games and like at Wigan, he saved the day. When he first arrived at Arsenal I was not keen on him at all but this season his emerged as one of my favourite players. He must’ve been tired from the last game for him not to start. We’ve got Liverpool next in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, we won’t see a full strength Arsenal team but I’m pretty sure the Scoucers will field the best possible side. They played very well against Charlton this weekend and we’ll have to play very well not to beat them.

I’ve had to write too many negative match reports on this site, hopefully things will improve over the next few games. I’m off down to the Grove tomorrow for some open training session, it’s free so why not? I’m going to buy my FA Cup tickets for Anfield while I’m down there, Henry is targeting this for his comeback game; I’m exited for this one already.

Thanks for reading.