3-0, 3 points and 4th place secured, couldn’t really ask for more. It was a strange end of season encounter at Fratton Park yesterday, although the points would’ve helped either side they weren’t really that important. We started with a slightly under strength team; Almunia, Toure, Gibbs, Fabregas, Nasri and Adebayor were all rested. That meant Fabianski played in goal, Eboue at left back and Song partnered Djourou in defense. On the left we had captain for the day Andrey Arshavin, in the middle Denilson and Ramsey and Theo Walcott retained his place on the right playing just over an hour. Up front it was what I expected with Bendtner and Vela, the two had a chance to impress here before United on Tuesday and both ended up on the score sheet.

My day started at 10:22am getting the train from Bournemouth to Southampton then on to Fratton Station. I was there by midday and met up with a few Arsebloggers. It was a beautiful day on the coast yesterday so a beer garden sounded like a great idea. A few chilled beers there and then we walked off to the stadium. The Arsenal fans occupied most of the stand behind the goal except for a little section of home fans in the corner, which was quite weird. I was standing near them, and about four rows from the front.

We were in good voice yesterday and were fully up for supporting our young guns. I was just happy to be at an away match again, the atmosphere at home games does frustrate me sometimes, I love being with the away crowd. It might well be my last trip this season so I was determined to make the most of it. I’ve tried to upload a video of the crowed but I’m fucking useless and I can’t do it. Will try later…

We started well showing that although we might not be at full strength we still meant business. Walcott fired a shot across goal in the first minute and we were taking control of the game very early on just as Man United had done to us in the week. Portsmouth did have one chance when Belhadj drove through our defense but as was the story in the end today, their shooting wasn’t good enough.

We should’ve got a penalty in the 13th minute when Distin shoved Vela off the ball but we did score from the resulting corner. Arshavin’s cross came back out to him and he clipped a great ball to the back post which Bendtner rose well to meet but it looked like a comfortable save for James. But it wasn’t – the ball slipping through his hands and over the line. Oh dear. Nicely worked goal though, Nick could’ve got more on it but I guess we did score! Celebrations were slightly delayed as we watched the ball somehow go across the line up the other end of the pitch

A few minutes later Vela should’ve certainly made it 2-0. Eboue made a great run down the left taking on a through ball and cutting inside the box to pick out the Mexican free in the middle of the box but he took far too long and they got a block in.

Peter Crouch registered his first miss of the day when a great one-two with Belhadj put him through on goal but he somehow directed the shot wide of the far post. Our defense wasn’t dealing very well with the Portsmouth attack and this was already the second time we had let them through for them to miss.

Just before half time we were given a penalty when Arshavin was brought down going through on goal. He appeared to shake his finger saying it wasn’t a penalty and the replay showed the defender might’ve got a touch to it but it could be a bit of justice from a few minute before when Arshavin was brought down but no penalty. Anyway, Bendtner claimed the spot-kick and it was a great finish right inside the right post, James went the right way but couldn’t get to it.

At half time Portsmouth brought on Kanu and Utaka and were clearly going to go for this. They did improve in the second half and had a great spell of attack in the opening 15 minutes. A mixture of missed chances and one Fabianski save from a long-range Kanu shot saw us keep a clean sheet by the skin of our teeth. Utaka was proving troublesome since coming on and really should’ve scored just before the hour when a ball was put over the top of him. He almost rounded Fabianski but got the ball stuck in his feet and Sagna was able to recover.

Portsmouth paid almost immediately for all those missed chances when Carlos Vela made it 3-0. After a good passing move between him, Arshavin and Walcott on the edge of the box Vela somehow found some space to shoot with his left and the ball rolled in perfectly inside the far post. A goal very much against the run of play but we showed Pompey how it’s done to take your chances.

It got worse for the home side when Pamarot was sent off for bringing down Arshavin going through on goal after a good ball over the top by Ramsey. I initially thought it was a penalty but the ref rightly gave it on the edge of the box. Ramsey took his attempted drive under the wall didn’t work.

By now we had brought off Walcott, Bendtner and Ramsey who had all had decent games. Aaron has shown the boss that if he needs him for Tuesday he is very capable. To replace them we brought on Bischoff, Merida and Randall for cameo performances.

Portsmouth had a couple more chances towards the end and their best came right at the end when a corner fell to the feet of Distin four yards out. It looked a certain goal but to everyone’ disbelief it stayed out! I watched the replay last night and it turned out to be a great goal line save from Fabianski.

So in the end it finished up 3-0 to The Arsenal, not a fair reflection on the game but I won’t complain. You can see the goals and highlights here and if you look closely you can just about see my Yellow 80′s ‘triangles’ shirt celebrating the 2nd goal. You probably can’t but I can just about anyway!

Not the most convincing performance at the back, we let them through too many times and were lucky to keep a clean sheet. We’ll have to be better than that against Man United in a game where we can’t afford to concede. Aaron Ramsey I thought played well, as did Eboue who now has I think 5 songs. Fabianski made a good couple of saves and although both we’re a bit iffy, you have to be happy with Bendtner getting two goals.

It was a great day out for me, really enjoyed it. I have to admit I’m just a bit sunburnt but oh well! I’m going to miss away games, maybe I’ll catch one at the start of next season. If not, Rome

There will be a lot of changes for Tuesday night so it’s going to completely change around. I’ll preview our biggest game since the 2006 Champions League Final tomorrow. Until then.