Portsmouth v. Arsenal 1-4 30/Dec/09

[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


Arsenal ended their year and decade with a high and flamboyant success at Fratton Park after beating four to one relegation-placed Portsmouth. Certainly after the lucky streak of wonderful performances the Gunners will rather want to extend their successfull spell next Saturday as they face London rivals West Ham United in the FA Cup context. Whether this year proved to be cosy and motivational in some respects and dismal an horrid in others, the prospects of a bright future next May, in any of the three fronts, can be achieved in this tough but encouraging contest.

The Gunners' decade went from brilliant - clinching the Premier League title on two occasions with and unfathomable 49-matches unbeaten as well as the FA Cup three times - to a hapless five trophy-less years, losing one Champions League final and two semi-finals, another Carling Cup final as others can be added to the list. Certainly teams of the likes of Everton, Villa and even Tottenham, would love to be in the north Londoners' position since only elite teams are allowed to enter this stages.

But for a team such as Arsenal, the bar as gone well too high and trying to achieve feats such as the previous, demands the best players among the world. Hopefully - sooner rather than later- we can see a different outcome towards this situations. 2010 could be a year in which the Gunners could see those dreams lifting up - why not- a treble. Congratulations to Vic Akers who was awarded an OBE.



[Photo: Getty Images via Daily Mail]


Within two minutes Portsmouth could have opened the score, primarily with Boateng's effort saved by Almunia. As the minutes flew by the visitors found some stability and reached Begovic's goal in several occasions. It was the lively effort of the home squad bolstered with appetite for a goal and not the fact that their opposition could not seem to find a way well into the game that made the encounter more attractive. As the clock ticked, Begovic denied Diaby after a quick succession of passes. In front of Portsmouth's area, the visitors were running riot and an inevitable positive outcome was fully expected by the travelling fans.
Unfortunately for Portsmouth, Kaboul deflected the path of the ball towards Begovic's far post and suddenly the Londoners found themselves with the lead. Not a clear response was made by the home team as the minutes passed. Again the dominance of the visitors provided them with the opportunity of breaking through a second goal, this time with the brilliant talent of Ramsey.



[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


Things could not have gone better for the Londoners since their grasp was placed through a huge amount of possession. Steadily, the pressure mounted towards the Pompey side, again to prove critics regarding Arsenal's away form. Without hesitation nor problem Ramsey stole the ball, shook off one marker to shot crossed Begovic's post. The Gunners were three-nil and another one of those epic marks was coming into light.
Nadir Belhadj brought a ray of hope to the home supporters as he scored against a rather clumsy and slow defensive back. Even when the home team made decent efforts to close the gap the visitors' threat on Begovic's goal was imminent.
Ten minutes to end, another goal of brilliant proportions took place when Nasri controlled a deviation just to clinically cross into Song's head who lobed the ball to beat again the Bosnian keeper. With a couple of opportunities scrapped by the visitors there were few minutes remaining for Portsmouth to raise the edge. Luckily enough for the Gunners the match ended with a solid three goal lead.