0:0
larger than normal crowd turned up at West Leigh Park hoping to see Pompey beat table topping Arsenal and view a few of the Gunners second string players, but they were disappointed on both counts as both teams played out a tame 0 - 0 draw and only three players in the Arsenal side having played in the first team, one being summer signing from Marseille, Mathieu Flamini who made an appearance as sub in Arsenal's win over Charlton at the weekend.
With so many players out on loan or on the treatment table, the Pompey side was a young side with new signing Valery Mezague out to impress watching manager Harry Redknapp. Burnley manager Steve Cottrell had made the long trip down to also take in the game.
Arsenal had the first chance on three minutes when Arturo Lupoli got through only to fire straight at Andrea Guatelli in the Pompey Goal. Four minutes later, Pompey won a free kick on the edge of the area, and Chris Clark tapped the ball to Valery Mezague who fired in a fierce shot which scrapped the outside of the post.
Clark had a chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes when instead of shooting first time. chose to bring the ball under control and his shot lacked direction and went out for a goal kick.
Both teams were getting bogged down in midfield and no clear chances were to be had at either end, the leagues top scorer, with four goals, Pompey's James Keene trying his best to get Pompey in front.
Andrea Guatelli was lucky to stay on the pitch on 34 minutes, when a long hopeful through ball was played from the Arsenal defence and was caught by the advancing Guatelli, just outside his area. After being sent off in last weeks game against Saints, Guatelli thought he was to be given his marching orders again, but referee Mr Ward, after talking to his assistant only showed the yellow card and gave a free kick.
Arturo Lupoli bent the kick around the Pompey wall and Guatelli made a great save to push the ball away for a corner, which came to nothing. The rest of the half was played out in midfield with Keene again having the only chance which was blocked.
Two minutes after the restart, Mezague was shown the yellow card for a foul. A mistake by Frank Simek nearly let in Keene on 53 minutes, but, after robbing the Arsenal defender, his shot went just wide.
Pompey had a chance to go in front on 70 minutes when a cross from Marc Wilson was met by Keene, but his headed was pushed out for ex first team goalkeeper, Stuart Taylor in the Arsenal goal. When the ball came back into the crowded area, it was poked just wide from a shot from a crowd of legs.
Sebastien Larsson who had taken most of the Arsenal free kicks around the Pompey area went close on 77 minutes, Guatelli having to react quick to push out a shot for a corner.
The rest of the game was goalless with neither team deserving the win. Both teams made changes in an effort to win the game, but Arsenal left Luke Webb on the bench, Webb being the son of ex Pompey favourite Neil and this being his first call up to the Gunners reserve squad.
