Portsmouth (1) 1 - 1 (0) Arsenal
Fratton Park, Tuesday 4th May 2004
FA Premiership
Arsenal:
Lehmann
Lauren Campbell Toure Cole
Bentley (Kanu 61) Parlour Vieira Ljungberg (Aliadiere 90)
Reyes (Keown 90) Henry
Full credit to Portsmouth for making one hell of a game of it.
Like Birmingham at the weekend, they ran us very close, and
only a terrific goal from Reyes and some superb saves by Lehmann
kept us in the chase for history. Isn't it amazing how much more solid Lehmann looks now that he's calmed down a bit? I think we'll alsways have to accept a few heart-stopping moments, and maybe a few goals against, when he races out of goal, but I'm starting to think maybe on balance it saves more than it concedes. So long as he's not lamping opponents for nudging him in his 6 yard box (and then moaning to the ref about it...).
Pompey's opener on the half hour was a bit lucky, but not completely undeserved. Yakubu and Lua Lua were a constant danger, and when Kolo Toure got his head to a high through ball (not sure he knew much about it) he was only able to send it into Yakubu's path. Lehmann made himself big at the near post but the ball deflected off him and squirmed through.
Arsenal had looked under-par again in the first half, but came out from the break with all guns blazing. We thought Henry had done it with a rocket of a shot which Hislop tipped onto the bar, it looked in but replays confirmed that it had bounced down the wrong side of the line, and out.
The equaliser came soon after though, from Reyes who had once again struggled to link up with his team-mates at times (Henry in particular). But when Henry's cross was headed clear and fell to him outside the box he hit a delightful volley which skimmed through the crowded box and just inside the right hand post.
Kanu came on for Bentley (who looked promising but not quite as effective as our other options in the wide right position - the loan next season should do him good) and had a decent chance with a shot which was blocked back to him, and he could only scuff the second effort wide.
But towards the end Portsmouth came back into it well and Lehmann had to make 2 good saves from Yakubu and then a terrific flying one from Stefanovic's wicked free-kick.
At half time it was looking like we might need to use all the substitutions up with attacking changes, but in the end Wenger felt comfortable enough to wait and bring Keown on for his crucial appearance at the death. Harry Redknapp has been quotde as saying that if Martin wants more regular football he'd be happy to take him on next season. Hard to imagine him away from Highbury but even if we don't buy another centre back in the summer it's possible that Senderos (and even Cygan) could keep him away from even the Arsenal subs bench if he were still with us next year.
Fulham next, another tricky away tie.
Sorry about the headline. Someone had to do it.
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