FORM GUIDE
Arsenal
18 August (Champions League) Celtic 0-2 Arsenal
15 August (Premier League) Everton 1-6 Arsenal
08 August (Friendly) Valencia 2-0 Arsenal
02 August (Emirates Cup) Arsenal 3-0 Rangers
01 August (Friendly) Arsenal 2-1Atletico Madrid
Portsmouth
19 August (Premier League) Birmingham 1-0 Portsmouth
15 August (Premier League) Portsmouth 0-1 Fulham
08 August (Friendly) Portsmouth 2-0 Rangers
25 July (Friendly) Basingstoke 0-0 Portsmouth
21 July (Friendly) Havant and Waterlooville 2-2 Portsmouth
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal
Arsene
Wenger is in the unaccustomed position of being able to contemplate
fielding the same starting XI for the third consecutive match as he has
no new injury problems after the midweek game at Celtic. Moreover,
Eduardo - who was a late withdrawal from the substitutes' bench for
that game - has recovered from a groin problem.
Theo Walcott is
not yet available after a back injury, but could return next week at
Old Trafford. Meanwhile Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), Samir Nasri (broken
leg), Johan Djourou (knee) and Lukas Fabianski (cartilage) are all
still sidelined.
Last Starting XI (v Celtic): Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Bendtner, Van Persie, Arshavin (Diaby).
Probable Starting XI: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy, Fabregas, Song, Denilson, Bendtner, Van Persie, Arshavin.
Subs (from): Mannone, Eboue, Silvestre, Gibbs, Traore, Diaby, Ramsey, Wilshere, Eduardo, Vela.
Portsmouth
Steve
Finnan could make his debut after a hamstring problem, though he is
reportedly still struggling for fitness. Hermann Hreidarsson is
suffering from a similar injury. Linvoy Primus is still sidelined with
an ankle injury.
Anthony Vanden Borre, who started at Birmingham
in midweek, could be a starter, and Hart could give Kanu a start
against his former club.
Last Starting XI (v Birmingham): James, Kaboul, Wilson, Distin, Belhadj, Vanden Borre (Utaka), Diop (Basinas), Mokoena, Mullins, Kranjcar, Piquionne (Kanu).
Probable Starting XI: James, Kaboul, Wilson, Distin, Belhadj, Utaka, Diop, Mokoena,Mullins, Kranjcar, Poquionne.
Subs: Vanden Borre, Begovic, Hughes, Kanu, Basinas, Nugent, Ward.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arsenal
There
have been encouraging starts from the whole team, with Cesc Fabregas
looking particularly effective, and the new central defensive pairing
offering greater solidity than was often apparent last term. Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie have both performed promisingly without yet
getting on the score-sheet, and this looks like a game in which the
technically gifted Russian could open his account. The home crowd will
be looking for his pace, trickery and ability to score from seemingly
impossible angles to illuminate proceedings.
Portsmouth
Goalkeeper David James could be busy at the Emirates, and the England shot-stopper, who has
made 549 career top-flight appearances, will probably need to be at his
commanding best - as his other persona, the error-prone one, is likely
to be punished. James has been unlucky with the two goals conceded thus
far: one took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot him; the other was a
last-gasp penalty at Birmingham, conceded after he was adjudged to have
committed a foul when dealing with a high ball. Prior to that, James
had made some important saves.
PREDICTION
With
Arsenal seemingly in the mood, they are likely to exploit any
weaknesses in the Portsmouth rearguard - and there have been a few of
those evident so far. History as well as form is against Pompey, and it
would be a huge shock (as well as a massive blow to Arsenal's
aspirations) if the Gunners didn't run out comfortable winners.
Arsenal 3-0 Portsmouth
