"It's a pretty meaningless game really, avoiding injuries will be the main priority". And following 1979gooner the outcome of this match seemed quite uninteresting due to the second leg of UEFA's Champions League semifinal. Everything is set up and unless Arsene changes his tactics and puts up a decent team (van Persie and Djorou to begin with) the frail and dismal hope that the London side has to equalize or overcome Utd is really faint. To highlight, Carlos Vela, late in the season, scored his first Premiership goal while Arshavin's spark, today as captain, seems not to end. At least Wenger realized his mistake even though it may be too late to correct it.
With Arshavin captaining this patched and alternative squad hostilities began again at Pompey. The Gunners, worthy of Carling Cup line-up, began their attacks with several attemps: wide shots, headers, walls and corners. Although the team seemed to have the flow and quickness of their senior counterpart the home defense led by ex-Gunner Campbell coped well enough with all incoming threats. It was not until the 10th minute that a considerable row of attacks brought fear towards James's goal. An it was "Calamity", yet again as in the previous home game this season, who did not grab well enough the ball after a Bendtner's header. With Arsenal wasting many chances, Vela shot at 12', and the gap seemed, for the moment to be just one goal.
The southerns indeed approached several times towards Arsenal's goal but none of them had the power to overcome Fabianski. Arsenal's young midfield kept possession and balance providing both forwards and flanks with plenty of work. Reaching the final minutes Bendtner converted from the spot, due to a previous penalty awarded to Arshavin. With two goals in the pocket the Gunners went even more calmer for the following period.
One thing to note from the home side is that they kept faith in equalizing, bringing Kanu on while attempting several times in the earlier stages of the game. Reaching the 55th minute, at least in three occasions the home squad could have easily equalized. Nevertheless Gunners resilient and lucky defense held back. Portsmouth momentum easily faded when the Gunners regained possession. It was all sentenced for the Pompey side when, at 56' Vela made space in the box to shoot past James. Walcott's substitution, a sign that he will be used against Utd, brought a surprise to any viewer: Amaury Bischoff came in, at 65'. The match was managed well enough by the visiting side while many attempts from Portsmouth midfield were really not that alarming concerning the quality of them. Again, as if it were a Carling Cup match, Wenger decided to rest another possible sub for Tuesday bringing on Merida. With this alternative the Gunners cruised to victory in an outstanding performance by some of the youngsters. Not much can be said from Merida's entrance on due to the training excercise the young guns were now doing. Oh yes! Mark Randall came in.
Concluding, it seems that Bendnter washes away any pressure when Arsenal visits and scores. If it helps him, then he should be an away sub, which is by far one ofthe most difficult roles a striker can have, and a very rare too!
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