In the second half Arsene made a slight adjustment to the midfield. Diaby and Ramsey had swapped roles. Ramsey started pushing forward and getting on the ball in attacking positions

Match Review – Portsmouth 1 Arsenal 4 – Premier League

The injuries have been mounting up but the performances haven’t dropped and that will be something that would be exciting Arsene Wenger. Much has been made of the injury crisis at Manchester United whilst our injuries are barely acknowledged. Which I suppose goes against the Arsenal have no squad depth nonsense.

Arsene’s squad members are not feeling sorry for themselves regarding their missing team mates, they are simply rolling up their sleeves and putting in the effort to get results.

Portsmouth, backed by their famous support took the game to Arsenal and played positively but the Arsenal defence and midfield stood firm.

I was interested to know who would take the lead attacking role in the Arsenal midfield and it looked as if the responsibility was given to Abou Diaby after his two outstanding performances against Hull City and Aston Villa. He was dominant once again, especially in the first half. With Diaby and Song in the Arsenal midfield, the opposition had better cross off ‘bullying and overpowering’ from their list of how to beat Arsenal because it will never happen.

Both players grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the game around in Arsenal’s favour. The trio of Eduardo, Arshavin and Nasri continued from the last couple of games. Theo Walcott pulled out of the game due to a rib injury that has set him back another 10-12 days.

Before Denilson’s curling free kick against Hull a few weeks ago, Arsenal hadn’t scored directly from a free kick for something like two years. Like London buses, you wait for ages and then three turn up at once. Eduardo struck a free kick off Kaboul and into the corner of the net for the third direct free kick in three games.

It was lucky as the ball was heading in a totally different path to the one which found the net but Arsenal had started to up the gears and create chances so it came at the right time.

Minutes before half time Nasri helped himself to his first league goal of the season, but it has to be said the Portsmouth defending was less than convincing. Eduardo found the ball at his feet in the penalty area, what seemed like an eternity, he found Ramsey squared once more to Nasri who wasn’t about to be so generous, he fired low across Begovic into the corner of the net.

Arsenal are doing what is required from champions. Soaking up early opposition pressure, gaining control of the game and finishing our chances.

After the break the game was nicely stretched as Portsmouth looked to get back into the game and the Gunners attempted to kill off the game.

Aaron Ramsey had a steady first half, playing in the Denilson role. Nothing spectacular just sticking to his job. He gave the ball away on a few occasions but overall kept the ball moving well. In the second half Arsene made a slight adjustment to the midfield. Diaby and Ramsey had swapped roles. Ramsey started pushing forward and getting on the ball in attacking positions, whilst Diaby dropped back to protect his back four.

With twenty minutes to go Ramsey showed what he can do when playing his natural game. He stole the ball off substitute Vanden Boore, dropped his shoulder and dipped inside another Portsmouth player before unleashing a powerful drive on his weaker left foot from outside the penalty area into the corner of the net.

A fabulous goal from the teenager. We can expect plenty more of those during the years.

Portsmouth grabbed a consolation goal which made the game more interesting, it was a well worked move from Pompey but one of the Arsenal players should have stayed on Belhadj as everyone else dropped off to stop a potential cross from Vanden Borre.

Alex Song capped off yet another great display with a powerful well directed header from a superb Nasri cross, ten minutes before time. A fitting way to say goodbye to the Premier League for a few weeks.

The game was comfortable, yet committed from all the players and that makes me very pleased. Last season we could have gone their without the hard graft and could have been caught out, hopefully the team have learnt this lesson and will continue to pick up these wins.

Our game in hand against Bolton is around the corner and victory at the Emirates could see us one point behind Chelsea. Happy new year? It certainly looks that way.