FOOTBALL Live

Saturday August 22, 2009 Finished Emirates Stadium

4 - 1

Arsenal

  • Diaby 17’, 21’
  • Gallas 50’
  • Ramsey 67’

Portsmouth

  • Kaboul 36’

308 comments | Write your comment

  1. Rampant Arsenal thump Pompey

    Rampant Arsenal thump Pompey

    Arsenal continued their impressive start to the new Premier League season with another dominant display in a 4-1 win at home to Portsmouth. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Arsenal
    • Portsmouth
    • 90'+3 And there goes the final whistle! All over at the Emirates and it's an entirely comfortable victory for the Gunners... for Pompey, the gloom continues...
    • 90'+2 That's a decent ball into the box by Nugent... problem is there's no one there to meet it...
    • 90' Piquionne, who has done well enough today, has a problem here... maybe it's just cramp, but he needs some kind of treatment...
    • 85' Arsenal are just seeing this one out... although Nugent and Piquionne have linked up well on occasion...
    • 81' UTAKA! Oooh! So close to a goal for Pompey, but his effort flashes wide of the post! Should have done better...
    • 79' Here geos Merida now, looking to get on the end of a through pass... but Begovic gets there first!
    • 78' That's not a bad effort by Piquionne who turns Gallas well and lets fly with a crisp shot that Almunia has to be sharp to keep out!
    • 74' James has a problem here... and he's going to have to go off... concern on the faces of both Paul Hart and Fabio Capello as Begovic comes on to replace him.
    • 72' This is turning into a rout for Arsenal... it's been another excellent performance from Arsene Wenger's side.
    • 70' And Arsenal make a double swap - Merida and Bendtner on for Eduardo and Arshavin.
    • 69' Pompey make another change as Vanden Borre comes on for the hapless Wilson...
    • 68' GOAL! GOAL! ARSENAL MAKE IT FOUR! Inevitable really... van Persie slips a cute ball through which exposes the flat-footed Pompey back line and finds Ramsey who keeps his cool and blasts past James! 4-1!
    • 67' Vermaelen! Ooh! That's not a bad effort from the Belgian! He cracks it goalwards, but James is there to make the save!
    • 66' Pompey make a change now... off goes Kanu and on comes Dave Nugent.
    • 64' But here's Piquionne! He's through! No! Superb saving challenge by Gibbs to deny the summer signing a goal!
    • 61' Here come Arsenal once again... it's one-way traffic at the moment, and Pompey are really struggling to even get out of their own half.
    • 58' Eduardo teases Wilson - who's having a torrid time - on the Arsenal right... he takes on the left-back but can't quite get his cross over...
    • 57' Pompey have it all to do now... you get that feeling Arsenal have more goals in them today.
    • 54' Van Persie again causing problems in the Pompey defence... but he rather stands on the ball and in the end he plays out to Eduardo whose shot is weak and straight at James.
    • 53' More terrible defending nearly gets Pompey in trouble again... this time it's Distin whose clearance goes straight to a red shirt... van Persie is played in, but he can't make anything of it.
    • 52' Surely now, Arsenal will not let Pompey back into this game? Will they?
    • 51' GOAL! ARSENAL GO THREE UP! Van Persie flicks on a free-kick into the box, Vermaelen slides in but is denied by James but the rebound falls to Gallas who prods over the line from all of one yard out! Scrappy, but they all count! 3-1 now!
    • 49' Arsenal have dominated this game, yet their lead is precarious... very strange indeed.
    • 48' Real chance for Piquionne! He nicks the ball off Gibbs as the Arsenal defender dallies at the back... he's through on goal... but Almunia stands up well and in the end the striker fires into the side netting!
    • 46' One change to tell you about... Aaron Ramsey is on for Cesc Fabregas, who has a knock...
    • 46' Back underway at the Emirates!
    • 45'+2 There goes the half-time whistle... and Arsenal take a 2-1 lead into the dressing rooms...
    • 45' Piquionne looks like he's through on goal here! But the flag is up on the far side and the striker is caught just off side... Arsenal may be attacking well but they are looking susceptible on the break...
    • 44' Oooh! More great stuff from Fabregas who turns Kaboul with ease before firing against James's legs! Arsenal haven't let that Pompey goal affect their play one jot...
    • 40' Terrible lapse in concentration from Belhadj now as he lets Arshavin in behind him... but Distin comes across to help his team-mate out with a strong challenge on the Russian.
    • 39' Fabregas looks to hit back straight away but his effort is ballooned over the bar...
    • 37' GOAL! POMPEY HIT BACK AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY! It's Kaboul who leaps high above Almunia to meet Belhadj's cross and head home! Almunia was never at the races in that one! Great header and the visitors, incredibly, are back in it!
    • 35' Van Persie takes the free-kick... and James has to be on top form to keep it out, which he does with a flying leap towards the right-hand post!
    • 34' Brilliant run by Fabregas... which is ended rather unceremoniously by Kranjcar who sticks out a leg and upends the Spaniard in mid stride!
    • 32' Arshavin teases Wilson once again on the Arsenal left... he gets to the byline but his cross goes over Van Persie's head...
    • 31' Van Persie! Oooh! Great save by James, the England keeper getting a strong hand to the Dutchman's sharp strike from outside the area! Ray Clemence will have been pleased to see that!
    • 30' First real chance for Pompey! Kanu is the architect, dancing inside in his typical languid style before teeing up Piquionne! His shot seems to be goalbound, but it's blocked by a red shirt and Arsenal come away with the ball again!
    • 29' Diaby fires off another shot on goal after skipping past challenges from both Mokoena and Mullins! Great stuff, but it's easy for James in the end.
    • 28' Van Persie! Oh dear! He misses his kick from yet another dangerous ball into the Pompey box! That could have been three had he connected!
    • 27' Brilliant from Arsenal again... such incisive passing from the home side... this time Fabregas is played through by Arshavin but he over-elaborates, tries to cut inside and the ball eventually gets away from him.
    • 24' This is better from Pompey now as Piquionne brings down a long ball before hitting the deck looking for a foul... play on says Steve Bennett!
    • 23' Arsenal are rampant at the moment... more great passing play sees Fabregas find Arshavin down by the touchline... but this time the cut-back is to no one in particular!
    • 22' This should be plain sailing for Arsenal now... although Wenger still looks concerned and deep in thought on the touchline.
    • 21' GOAL! IT'S TWO FOR ARSENAL AND TWO FOR DIABY! Eboue is released by Fabregas down the left - where is the Portsmouth defence? - and he centres for an umarked Diaby for slot home past James! They made that look easy, but Pompey are all over the show at the moment...
    • 19' Arsenal are beginning to enjoy themselves now... Arshavin takes a ball forward and turns, but this time Distin stands firm...
    • 18' GOAL! DIABY OPENS THE SCORING! What a cracker it is! But it's all about Eduardo, who skins Wilson on the left before cutting back for Diaby, who sidefoots into the top right hand corner! 1-0 Arsenal!
    • 17' Nothing comes of the corner, as Kanu heads clear at the near post... it's pumped back in, but some more cool Pompey defending under pressure sees Kaboul head back to James.
    • 16' Gibbs cuts inside now and lets fly! Not a bad hit by the young Gunner, but it's well blocked... corner for Arsenal nevertheless!
    • 15' Arsenal on the attack again... this time Eduardo tries his luck from distance... it bounces into the waiting arms of James, who isn't too troubled by the Croatian's effort.
    • 13' Kranjcar's delivery from the corner is poor though and it's headed away at the near post.
    • 12' Free-kick now to Pompey after Utaka is felled 45 yards out... Kranjcar pings it into the box and it flicks off an Arsenal head for a corner!
    • 11' Utaka and Belhadj try to make inroads down Arsenal's right, but Eboue puts in a strong challenge on the latter and the visitors' move breaks down.
    • 10' Fabregas, Arshavin and Van Persie link up well once more, but the flag goes up for offside and the move breaks down.
    • 9' Brilliant little ball forward by Fabregas to Arshavin... but the Russian can't make too much of it and he slips as he crosses and the ball is easily cleared.
    • 8' Fabio Capello is in the stands today, alongside goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence, who presumably is checking out David James.
    • 7' Another cross goes into the Pompey box and this time it's Wilson whose task it is to head back to his keeper.
    • 6' Strong play from Fabregas, who breaks from midfield before letting off a shot on target! But in fairness, he doesn't catch it too well, and it's easy for James, who falls on the ball in dramatic fashion.
    • 5' Van Persie's corner isn't a bad one... but it's headed clear by Distin at the near post...
    • 4' Diaby's away here after being put through by Eduardo's neat flick-on! He's closed down though... corner anyway!
    • 3' Lovely flick by Arshavin to Fabregas, who gets fouled and wins a free-kick...
    • 2' Here come Arsenal now on their first meaningful attack of the day... Belhadj does well to nod Gibbs's cross back to his keeper David James.
    • 1' Bright sunshine in the capital today... great playing conditions.
    • 1' Here we go! Underway in north London!
    • - Here come the teams to a rapturous reception from the crowd, who have been handed free scarves this afternoon in a bid to create a bit of atmosphere at the Emirates.
    • - Arsene Wenger's unhappy at the way England are using Theo Walcott... read the full story here!
    • - Photos from today's busy afternoon of Premier League football can be found here!
    • - An interesting stat to keep you going while we wait for kick-off... Arsenal have never lost a game in which Andrei Arshavin has started. The Russian starts today... More match facts here!
    • - Pompey boss Paul Hart makes two changes, with John Utaka and Kanu both starting.
    • - So, Arsene Wenger makes four changes to his side, Eduardo, midfielder Abou Diaby, Emmanuel Eboue and Kieran Gibbs all coming in with Alex Song, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and striker Nicklas Bendtner all starting on the bench.
    • - Today's referee is Steve Bennett (Kent).
    • - And Pompey: Portsmouth: James, Wilson, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Utaka, Mokoena, Mullins, Kranjcar, Kanu, Piquionne - Subs: Nugent, Begovic, Vanden Borre, Hughes, Basinas, Ward, Ritchie
    • - The teams are in... here's how Arsenal line up today: Almunia, Eboue, Gallas, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin, van Persie, Eduardo - Subs: Sagna, Mannone, Ramsey, Song Billong, Clichy, Merida, Bendtner
    • - Pompey, on the other hand, are a club in turmoil. Defeats to Fulham and Birmingham have been accompanied by financial uncertainty off the pitch, although there could be a ray of light with news of Peter Storrie's bid to buy out the club. But nevermind off-field activities, the last thing Pompey need is a trip to one of the country's most in-form sides.
    • - The Gunners kicked off the new Premier League campaign with a 6-1 demolition of Everton and followed that win with a 2-0 Champions League victory over Celtic.
    • - Arsenal welcome Portsmouth to the Emirates looking to continue their sterling start to the new season.

  • Summary

    • 81' UTAKA! Oooh! So close to a goal for Pompey, but his effort flashes wide of the post! Should have done better...
    • 78' That's not a bad effort by Piquionne who turns Gallas well and lets fly with a crisp shot that Almunia has to be sharp to keep out!
    • 68' GOAL! GOAL! ARSENAL MAKE IT FOUR! Inevitable really... van Persie slips a cute ball through which exposes the flat-footed Pompey back line and finds Ramsey who keeps his cool and blasts past James! 4-1!
    • 67' Vermaelen! Ooh! That's not a bad effort from the Belgian! He cracks it goalwards, but James is there to make the save!
    • 64' But here's Piquionne! He's through! No! Superb saving challenge by Gibbs to deny the summer signing a goal!
    • 51' GOAL! ARSENAL GO THREE UP! Van Persie flicks on a free-kick into the box, Vermaelen slides in but is denied by James but the rebound falls to Gallas who prods over the line from all of one yard out! Scrappy, but they all count! 3-1 now!
    • 48' Real chance for Piquionne! He nicks the ball off Gibbs as the Arsenal defender dallies at the back... he's through on goal... but Almunia stands up well and in the end the striker fires into the side netting!
    • 44' Oooh! More great stuff from Fabregas who turns Kaboul with ease before firing against James's legs! Arsenal haven't let that Pompey goal affect their play one jot...
    • 37' GOAL! POMPEY HIT BACK AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY! It's Kaboul who leaps high above Almunia to meet Belhadj's cross and head home! Almunia was never at the races in that one! Great header and the visitors, incredibly, are back in it!
    • 35' Van Persie takes the free-kick... and James has to be on top form to keep it out, which he does with a flying leap towards the right-hand post!
    • 31' Van Persie! Oooh! Great save by James, the England keeper getting a strong hand to the Dutchman's sharp strike from outside the area! Ray Clemence will have been pleased to see that!
    • 30' First real chance for Pompey! Kanu is the architect, dancing inside in his typical languid style before teeing up Piquionne! His shot seems to be goalbound, but it's blocked by a red shirt and Arsenal come away with the ball again!
    • 21' GOAL! IT'S TWO FOR ARSENAL AND TWO FOR DIABY! Eboue is released by Fabregas down the left - where is the Portsmouth defence? - and he centres for an umarked Diaby for slot home past James! They made that look easy, but Pompey are all over the show at the moment...
    • 18' GOAL! DIABY OPENS THE SCORING! What a cracker it is! But it's all about Eduardo, who skins Wilson on the left before cutting back for Diaby, who sidefoots into the top right hand corner! 1-0 Arsenal!

Team lineup & ratings

  • Arsenal

    Manager: Arsene Wenger

    Captain: Cesc Fabregas

  • Portsmouth

    Manager: Paul Hart

    Captain: Sylvain Distin

  • Lineup

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Arsenal

      Manager: Arsene Wenger

      Captain: Cesc Fabregas

      Starting line-up

      • Almunia
      • E. Eboue
      • W. Gallas Goal
      • T. Vermaelen
      • K. Gibbs
      • C. Fabregas Substitution Out (45′)
      • Denílson
      • A. Diaby Goals×2 Yellow Card
      • A. Arshavin Substitution Out (70′)
      • R. van Persie
      • D. Eduardo Substitution Out (70′)

      Subs

      • G. Clichy
      • N. Bendtner Substitution In70′
      • V. Mannone
      • A. Ramsey Substitution In45′ Goal
      • B. Sagna
      • A. Song
      • F. Merída Substitution In70′

    • Portsmouth

      Manager: Paul Hart

      Captain: Sylvain Distin

      Starting line-up

      • D. James Substitution Out (74′)
      • M. Wilson Substitution Out (69′)
      • Y. Kaboul Goal
      • S. Distin
      • N. Belhadj
      • A. Mokoena
      • H. Mullins
      • J. Utaka
      • N. Kranjcar
      • F. Piquionne
      • N. Kanu Substitution Out (66′)

      Subs

      • A. Basinas
      • R. Hughes
      • A. Vanden Borre Substitution In69′
      • D. Nugent Substitution In66′
      • A. Begovic Substitution In74′
      • M. Ritchie
      • J. Ward

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      Goal - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out45′ - -
      - -
      Goals ×2 Yellow Card - -
      Substitution Out70′ - -
      Strikers
      - -
      Substitution Out70′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In70′ - -
      Substitution In45′ Goal - -
      Substitution In70′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      Substitution Out74′ - -
      Defenders
      Substitution Out69′ - -
      Goal - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      - -
      - -
      - -
      - -
      Strikers
      - -
      Substitution Out66′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In69′ - -
      Substitution In66′ - -
      Substitution In74′ - -

Comment 249 - 268 of 308

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  1. this goes to art tidesco i don't care who you are­ but you know what ,eat @#$%

    From obinnaemechebe, on Sat 22 Aug 5:33PM

  2. Did Fran Merida play?? I thught he had been loaned to­ Levante in the Spanish Liga Adelante..

    From wotyagaveme, on Sat 22 Aug 5:31PM

  3. Oooooo Well done Arsenal Hope you do great this­ season!
    We will see what Hansen says tonight on MOTD he­ will either say 'Pompey were just too terrible, the­ made it easy for Arsenal' or nothing at all lol I­ don't like him at all he is so biased!

    But anyway­ keep shooting bullets you Gunners!

    From Pen, on Sat 22 Aug 5:29PM

  4. I knew we would still make even with out Adebayor long­ live Arsene.Now the gun 2 ManUtd

    From Edward, on Sat 22 Aug 5:25PM

  5. haha arsenal r the best

    From MloveM, on Sat 22 Aug 5:22PM

  6. we ought to watch our defense carefully cos even though­ i am happy we won i saw some leakages at the back line­ its just that potsmouth couldnt turn them into goals.­ And we shld have made it 6-1. gunners till Jesus comes­ tho

    From edwinclarkandassociates, on Sat 22 Aug 5:13PM

  7. love it skates bottom of the league

    From finchausten, on Sat 22 Aug 5:12PM

  8. roll on united

    From kerrie.magill2, on Sat 22 Aug 5:10PM

  9. Yiddo here hoping that you lot whallop Man United in­ the next game. God, i fu cking hate 'em!

    From Ella, on Sat 22 Aug 5:06PM

  10. yes uve done it again ...proud and loud go gunners ur­ the best

    From leighanjueno, on Sat 22 Aug 5:05PM

  11. next

    From Telman, on Sat 22 Aug 5:04PM

  12. its just a team but yet what a great team....gunners­ for life....dont write us off just yet.....better yet­ dont write us off at all

    From vingopro2005, on Sat 22 Aug 5:04PM

  13. unbelivable display. Man united have an advantage next­ week. Damn it. We still got Celtic to play.

    From Tan K, on Sat 22 Aug 5:03PM

  14. arsene wenger is a king,fab is prince n da rest r­ royals......am feeling dis team ROYAL GUNNERS

    From S-LAYER DA BARD 1, on Sat 22 Aug 5:02PM

  15. Well done again this year you have come out fighting­ keep it up its wonderful to see you come back

    From LUCY, on Sat 22 Aug 5:00PM

  16. Whats happened to Asharvin?? Very quiet. Hope he comes­ alive soon.

    From Fayleen, on Sat 22 Aug 4:59PM

  17. Well done Gunners....love u guys.....keep it up....!!!

    From rina, on Sat 22 Aug 4:58PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Gooners obviously on a small blip of success to start­ the season by Christmas they will be struggling to beat­ Hull :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Sat 22 Aug 4:56PM

  19. Well done boys!!!! Keep it up.......

    From aitch66, on Sat 22 Aug 4:56PM

  20. Man City pathetic bunch of bench warmers :-) Well done­ Wolves better luck next time :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Sat 22 Aug 4:54PM
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