Portsmouth 0 – 3 Arsenal: Bendtner 13, Bendtner 41 pen, Vela 56. Highlights from the Arsenalist
Comfortable is what you could call this result, and the 3 points have now secured 4th place in the league, and Champions League qualifiers next year. We are now unbeaten in 21 league games, and have equalled a club record scoring at least 3 goals in the last 5 away games.
Arsenal’s youngsters dominated for most of the game, although Portsmouth did have their chances to even the scores. Wenger rested most of the first team, including Almunia, opting for Djourou and Song in central defence – Vela and Ramsey also got starts, whilst Arshavin captained the side.
Wenger:
“We were sharp, composed and mobile with a great attitude.”
The changes were obviously made in order to give as many players as possible a rest before the crucial Champions League game on Tuesday. Walcott and Bendtner were both taken off in the second half – Sagna and Song were the only players from Wednesday’s team to play 90 minutes.
Randall, Bischoff and Merida got their chances in the second half as subs and the team looked impressive, by the end of the game we were in complete control.
Bendtner’s first goal was a header from Arshavin’s cross which David James dropped and let itno the back of the net. That will add more weight to the fans calling for Almunia to get his chance in the England squad.
Then Arshavin was brought down just before half time in the box, and a penalty was given although Arsh himself thought it was a clean tackle. Bendtner slotted home, and then in the second half Vela added another.
The only other event of note was Portsmouth’s red card – Arshavin was through on goal and Pamarot the last defender took him down. The resulting free kick came to nothing, but Pompey were down to 10 men with little chance of getting anything from this game.
The visiting Arsenal support was in high spirits, there is a little hope that we can beat Man Utd on Tuesday, and now that the league position is secured, the Champions League is what will make or break this season. It’s going to take a more composed performance than the first leg to go through, but we still have an outside chance of making it.
ArseSpeak 
sir must just consider abit in the defence.
with the number of first-teamers rested today, theres more than a little hope for next week. especially with man utd team selection against boro.
we will win against man utd and this arsenal team will prove once for all on wengers youth policy… bring it on man utd
Arsene should learn one thing that is Denilson is the best defensive midfielder we have at the moment, he links well the midfield and the defence when i possession and he positions well when not in possession which has failed Song the whole season without Arsene realising and i dare him to put Eboue on as leftback against man u if he is that good, this is no time for experimenting put the best suited players against man u to have a chance.
This why a string of team B beat the likes of portsmouth, Arsene goes for the 4-4-2 sys and since our game depends on the midfield balance we are able to create openings in on the attach Arsene puts players like Ramsey midfield walcott,Arshavin on the wings and Vela,Bendtner forward these mind you are their natural positions except for Song and Eboue. The sys gives freedom to the 2 central midfielders to move about and width on the wings that pulls the opposition midfielders from their positions while freeing ours hence the flare with which we pass the ball around creating space and scoring chances.