Arsene Wenger was again
left to bemoan missed chances as Arsenal drew at
Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed out on the chance to finish third after being
held to a frustrating goalless draw at Fratton Park.
Arsenal were somewhat lucky to avoid losing after Portsmouth had a
goal from Niko Kranjcar Controversially disallowed for
offside.
Referee Graham Poll ruled that Kranjcar's 68th-minute goal was
offside even though Richard Hughes' shot came off Arsenal defender
Philippe Senderos before the Croat tucked it home.
Wenger was unsure if the goal was offside, but he was more
concerned with his side's lack of killer instinct in front of
goal.
"It was difficult to tell what happened with the offside goal,"
said Wenger. "I haven't seen the replay but we should have finished
the game off before that. It is the story of our season.
"We looked good technically and sharp for much of the game but
lacked something in the final third."
Julio Baptista missed Arsenal's best chance when he saw his 40th
minute penalty saved by David James and Wenger admits he has still
to decide if he will be keeping Brazilian Baptista at the
club.
"That (Baptista's future) has not yet been decided," added
Wenger.
"He usually takes penalties and is not scared to take them. Overall
we had a very young side out today and there was nobody else with
enough experience to take it.
"Cesc Fabregas was next in line to take it but did not want to. I
think James made a good save but we had many other
chances."
