Arsenal came back from two goals down to claim a share of the
points in an end-to-end clash with Portsmouth.
A goal conceded on either side of half-time had the Gunners facing
the prospect of their first defeat at the Emirates. The
introduction of Emmanuel Adebayor swung the balance back in
Arsenal's favour, as he scored one himself within minutes of his
taking to the field and had a hand in Gilberto Silva's
equaliser.
Robin Van Persie should have put the Gunners ahead after just three
minutes when he met an Emmanuel Eboue cross from the right with a
powerful header that was spectacularly saved by David James.
Portsmouth responded almost immediately with a fine passing move
that began in their own half and ended with Glen Johnson beating
two Gunners defenders, before firing a shot from the edge of the
area that was gratefully gathered by Jens Lehmann.
Theo Walcott, who replaced the injured Freddie Ljungberg on seven
minutes, put the accelerator down on 19 minutes to breeze past the
Pompey defence, but his cross come shot was fired straight into the
midriff of a relieved James.
Portsmouth once again responded positively with some good work down
the right hand side that culminated in Matthew Taylor testing
Lehmann with a fine header from Gary O'Neil's flighted ball from
the right.
James was again on hand to deny the Gunners what looked like a
certain goal after 24 minutes. The Portsmouth keeper would have
been expected to save Cesc Fabregas' 20-yard drive, but the
ferocious strike bounced off the former England keeper and fell to
the lurking Van Persie.
A goal looked certain as the Dutchman shot low towards the right
corner but James guessed right and blocked the ball again, to the
frustration of the Gunners.
Portsmouth stepped up the pressure and were rewarded for their
endeavour as half-time beckoned. A free-kick floated in by Matthew
Taylor was headed against the post by David Thompson and Noe
Pamarot followed up to head home the rebound.
Any half-time plans that Arsene Wenger hatched in the dressing room
were dented within the first minute of the second half when Taylor
doubled the visitors' lead with a half-volley from the left corner
of the area that flew past Lehmann.
The Gunners were denied a penalty on 55 minutes when Adebayor
looked to be upended by Linvoy Primus, but referee Steve Bennett
waived the claims away.
The striker was happier three minutes later when he reduced the
arrears. Alex Hleb had found Walcott on the right, he sped past
Pamarot to cross a low ball into the box. It eluded Primus and
Adebayor was on hand to fire home.
Adebayor also played a part in Arsenal's equaliser. Kolo Toure
fired a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out that James did well to
parry, but only as far as Adebayor, again on the left.
The striker lifted a cross over to Walcott on the far post, and the
youngster scrambled the ball back to Gilberto, who shot across goal
and into the far left corner beyond James.
The Gunners came close to taking the lead on 80 minutes when
Gilberto broke down the right side and burst into the penalty area,
but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the left post.
Mathieu Flamini, on as a replacement at right-back for the injured
Eboue, shaved the right post with a shot in injury time and another
penalty claim was waived away by Mr Bennett at the death.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp commented: "I thought we were in good
shape having gone 2-0 up. The players and the crowd were getting
frustrated and I think if we had held on for another five minutes,
we maybe could have gone on and won the game.
"Unfortunately for us the goal came at the wrong time and it gave
them a lift whereas up until then they could hardly string two
passes together.
"Overall though, I'm happy with coming away from here with a draw
as it is a sign of our progress.
"I'm not sure what happened with Arsene, but I think he was sent
off at half-time. There may be bits of frustration for him because
some managers at the top aren't used to losing. I'm not saying he
is a bad loser though."
Wenger himself added: "I was sent off because I complained about a
foul on Gael Clichy which was not given.
"I complained in the tunnel at half-time to the referee and he sent
me off. I do not remember being sent off before, but I went and sat
in the stands where the assistant referee told me to go in the
second half.
"I have had some disappointing draws this season but today was not
one of them. Portsmouth began the game quicker and better than we
did, but I was pleased with the way my players came back.
"At half-time I told them to play higher up the pitch and to raise
the tempo. I know we conceded another goal soon after half-time,
but I felt we were playing much better.
"I was pleased with the way my players responded. I have had many
teams in my career, but I don't know of many who would have shown
the determination and come back the way that this young team
did."