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Arsenal vs. Portsmouth

Ashburton Grove

16th December 2006

3PM

Arsenal V Pompey

Arsenal welcome back one of their greatest players of all time when Pompey visit Ashburton Grove today in the form of the one and only Tony Adams. TA6 took the role of assistant manager this summer after a bad spell at Wycombe as manager and a coaching role in Holland.

Arsenal also welcome back Sol campbell and Kanu. Both players have revived their careers since moving to Harry Redknapps Portsmouth.

Arsenal can expect another battle today. Portsmouth will probably set out with 9 or 10 men behind the ball and look to catch Arsenal on the break so Toure and co will have to look lively if we are to avoid a repeat of the many 1-1 draws we've had at home this season.

Vital Quotes:

Le Boss on Arsenal's new-found defensive stability and Arsenal's form: "We have had three difficult away games - Porto, Chelsea and Wigan — where we have been stable defensively and resilient.

"We have shown great spirit and great character. We have responded well to the two disappointing results we had at Bolton and Fulham. We have improved our belief and our strength but now we want consistency.

"I feel at the moment it`s not been long enough to say we will [go on a run].

'You expect a longer consistency - six, seven, eight or nine games - before you can say that. But I believe we are capable to do it.

Harry 'Del Boy' Redknapp on injuries and how his team will play: 'We have just got to get on with it this weekend.

'Arsenal are a fantastic side, playing at a fantastic new stadium and with fantastic fans. But we are not just going to their new place to lie down.

'I know the rest of the players will give it everything as usual.

'They don't want to waste the great start we have made to the season.'


Arsenal Team News:

The Gunnners are without Captain thierry Henry (Hamstring), Gallas (thigh) and Rosicky (groin/hamstring) are all still out along with Diaby and Lauren.

Senderos could come in for Djourou to cope with the aerial threat of Kanu.

Player to watch: Hleb

The talented midfielder has been in fine form of late and will pose a threat to the Pompey backline. His dribbling skills and eye for a pass will ensure that he can change the game at any time.

Portsmouth Team News:

Midfielder Pedro Mendes is back from suspension but Kanu faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.

Cole (Achilles), LuaLua (thigh) and Benjani (hamstring) all mis the trip to London.

Player to watch: Mendes

The midfielder has a lethal shot on him and Gilberto will have to make suer he keeps the door well and truly shut!

Match Facts & Stats

Ref Watch:

Steve Bennet has officiated 13 games so far this season dishing out three red cards and 45 yellows, an average of 3.69 per game.

Match Prediction:

I'll put my prediction on here for once. Although Arsenal have won their last 2 home games against Pompey, this team is a whole new kettle of fish. I am tempted to say 1-0 to the Arsenal because of Portsmouth's injury problems but we have our own fair share so I'm going to have to say...thats right folks...1-1 with goals from Kanu and Adebayor.




Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain

Writer: Nick Simmonett  Mail feedback, articles or suggestions

Date:Saturday December 16 2006

Time: 1:19PM

Your Comments

I'll be chuffed with 1-1.
storagematt
alliadiere to start :)
swift-ee
Bloddy hell, not the same story! 0-1!
gunner-minesh
so that goal coming from a mile away. theres no urgency we used to try kill teams ASAP but this is just like the last game. slightly better but not really arsenal play.
mish
we look like were in training not fighting for a title
mish
0-2!! now we have lost!!! and no longer third!
gunner-minesh
hi scum great goal by taylor
cusop
excuse my french please
mish
And a 1 st from an exspud
cusop
explains why hes an ex
mish
why wasnt he on from the start
mish
ur off the hook
cusop
ITS ON NOW YOU MOFOOOOOOSSSSZZZ
mish
YYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHAHHHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHA
mish
Sobered up cusop?? Always here making yourself look stupid. Not hard though is it.
Rocky7
not a good result. good come back but we should never have required one
mish
another frustrating result. this is getting really hard to take..
luckys_10
Lucky escape jockey
cusop
Arry and the exnorth london boys.. always tricky ..
cusop
Hey be happy guys, look at this compsure-from 0-2 down?! We should take many positives from this game.
gunner-minesh
LOL how inconsistent can we possibly get, i never know what to predict when watching arsenal except against big teams
hazzagooner
Half empty ground by the look of the coverage!! Plenty of booing too, what's going on over there!!
BaldyYid
you were there a couple of weeks back you should know ?
hazzagooner
I bet Tony and Sol enjoyed their returns.
sandgroanun
 

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