Match Preview: Arsenal v Portsmouth (Premier League)
|Porstmouth coach Tony Adams returns to Arsenal tomorrow afternoon where he will pit his wits against his old boss Arsene Wenger and a Gunners team who look in disaray.
The north London giants were held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa at Villa Park on the Boxing Day, while Pompey suffered a 4-1 defeat by West Ham United at Fratton Park.
Arsenal are fifth in the table, as a result of their inconsistent display so far this season where they have suffered defeats at the hands of Fulham, Hull City, Stoke City, Manchester City and Aston Villa, who had won last month at the Emirates.
However, Gunners boss Wenger is still hopeful that his side can resurrect their campaign but cannot afford any more slip-ups.
Pompey are, meanwhile, 11th in the table with just three points separating them from the drop zone.
The Gunners are boosted by the return of striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who missed the Villa game due to suspension.
However, Wenger has injury concerns with Alex Song (thigh), Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou (both calf) facing late checks.
Portsmouth also have their problems with Glen Johnson (knee) ruled out, while Younes Kaboul and John Utaka are doubtful.
The trip to north London also marks the return of former Arsenal legend Adams to his old club first time as Pompey boss having been promoted to the top job following Harry Redknapp’s departure in October.
Gooner Talk’s Predicted Starting XI
Almunia
Sagna – Toure – Gallas – Silvestre
Eboue – Denilson – Diaby – Nasri
Adebayor – van Persie
Match Prediction: Arsenal 1-0 Portsmouth – The Gunners scrape through a tough contest in which several chances are wasted by Arsenal’s frontmen partnership of Bendtner and van Persie.
MyP2P will provide live stream links of this Premier League clash on MyP2P.eu. Post-match highlights will be avaliable at midnight on Gooner Talk for those of you who were unable to watch the game.
Leave your views and predictions of tomorrow’s game – which kicks off at 14:00 BST time – in the comments section below.
i would be amazed if song starts if hes fit.
Ade is back for Portsmouth so I doubt that we will see Kinky boots
Ade will surely play ! 2-0 to AFC, V.P bagging a brace.
doesnt the game start at 2 something, coz skysports said that it was gonna be at 2pm?
Yup it does, it’s pointless having 2 games in 3 days really.
I think it was meant to coincide in the olden days as people had their days off during this time of the year. But from the players POV it is not good.
Clichy should be back and Wenger didn’t say anything about Djourou being out. As Johan is clearly our best CB he should start. A partnership of Kolo-William once again proved amazingly dangerous and I really think Le Boss has learned something. Djourou was set to start in Birmingham so I think he will. Personally I would also like to see Ramsey start in midfield as Diaby and Denislon are utterly useless defensively. I thought the young Wales man did a better job than Song last time, the Villas didn’t get as easily through our midfield in the second half.
So the team I hope for would be:
———-Almunia————
Sagna–Djourou–Gallas–Clichy
Eboue–Denilson-Ramsey–Nasri
——–RvP—-Ade———–
I don’t like Gallas starting but Kolo Toure was even worse at Friday. We really do need a CB alongside Johan.
Djourou still has a calf injury, he won’t play.
I think Clichy may start, not sure if Wenger will risk him though.