Gunners Fight Back

It is perfectly natural and understandable for Arsenal fans to be disappointed that the Gunners did not beat Portsmouth, but in order to ensure that disappointment does not give way to something stronger, there are one or two points they would do well to remember.

First, Harry Redknapp is a terrific manager who has assembled a really good Portsmouth side who play football properly and are well worth their place near the top of the Premiership.

Second, Steve Bennett is not a brilliant referee and it is increasingly becoming apparent that official incompetence can be costly sometimes. There may have been little Arsenal could do about Matthew Taylor’s goal, but Portsmouth’s opener was bundled in by Paramot directly after they had been awarded a dubious free kick.

Third, while Jens Lehmann had little to do, at the other end David James was busy keeping Portsmouth in the game with wonderful saves from Robin Van Persie (three times), Hleb, Toure and Walcott – so yet again it was a case of so many chances, so few goals.

And most important of all, Arsene Wenger’s young team proved they could fight back from 2-0 down, Emmanuel Adebayor demonstrated what a ‘find’ he is by transforming the game with a terrific goal from Theo Walcott’s cross and Gilberto once again underlined his quality, commitment and leadership and it was fitting that he should get the equaliser.