Arsenal came from two goals down to earn a battling point
against Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium.
Noe Pamarot headed Pompey in front seconds before half-time and
Matt Taylor doubled the lead immediately after the break with a
looping volley.
Frustrated Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was sent from the dug-out,
but his mood improved when sub Emmanuel Adebayor pulled one back
after 58 minutes.
Arsenal's comeback was complete when Gilberto Silva slid home on
the hour.
Arsenal gave Jeremie Aliadiere his first league start of the
season, with Adebayor and Theo Walcott dropping to the bench from
the midweek win at Wigan.
It did not appear to dilute their threat in the early stages as
Portsmouth relied on keeper David James and good fortune to stay on
level terms.
James blocked Robin van Persie's point-blank header from Emmanuel
Eboue's cross as Arsenal pressed for a swift advantage.
The Gunners suffered a blow after five minutes when Freddie
Ljungberg appeared to injure a hamstring in a tackle and limped
off, to be replaced by Walcott.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:
"After we went two goals down we had to show we are a special team
and show special character and determination. We did and I can't
praise my players enough.
"We showed how good we are, but I thought we should have won the
game in the end because we created so many chances.
"I was sent from the dug-out because I spoke to the officials at
half-time and suggested it was not a free-kick that led to their
first goal.
"I just couldn't see how that was a free-kick and to be punished in
that way by conceding a goal was hard to take."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:
"At two up I thought we were sitting comfortably, but in the end we
will settle for a point.
"It is a fantastic result for us and the Portsmouth players have
been fantastic this season. Arsenal put pressure on us after they
got back in the game, but we hung in there and I'm delighted.
"To be in the top four alongside teams like Chelsea, Manchester
United, Liverpool and Arsenal is incredible."
