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  • Kick-off: 19:45
  • Venue: Fratton Park
  • Attendance: 20556
  • Referee: Bennett, S

Live Commentary

94mins

The full time whistle is blown and Portsmouth will be the happier of the two sides after Arsenal missed several chances to win the game.

93mins

That could well be it, Arsenal will rue the late chances thay have missed as we move into the last 30 seconds.

93mins

There's the chance to win the game - Rosicky fires wide after a brilliant turn and pass by substitute Bendnter

91mins

Sagna's cross is cleared away by a powerful Campbell header after around ten passes were exchanged between the Arsenal players.

90mins

Four minutes of added time signalled by the fourth offical, can either side find a winner?

90mins

It looks as if Portsmouth are to be the first team to prevent Arsenal scoring in the league this season, as we move towards injury time.

88mins

Fantastic chance for Gallas, he fires the ball over the bar from five yards after the ball fell to him. He was under pressure from Campbell but should have done better.

87mins

Portsmouth have every single player behind the ball as they look happy with a point.

86mins

A fantastic run by Clichy starts another Arsenal attack but his cross is misplaced and sums up the evening for Wenger's men.

85mins

Muntari's outswinger is met by Rosicky who manages to clear the danger.

84mins

Corner for Portsmouth, can they snatch a late winner?

82mins

John Utaka replaces Benjani, as Portsmouth search their first goal at Fratton Park in over 360 minutes of football.

81mins

Hleb is replaced by Nicklas Bendtner for Arsenal.

80mins

Booking for Diop after a foul on Hleb.

80mins

It's just not happening in the final third for Wenger's men tonight, they are running out of time now.

78mins

Rosicky fires the ball wide from a narrow angle after taking on three Portsmouth defenders, the Czech has looked like Arsenal's best chance of a goal tonight.

77mins

Benjani threatens on the right hand side after a quick free kick, but Gallas makes a crunching challenge to put the ball out of play.

76mins

Change for Portsmouth, Matthew Taylor replaces the largely anonymous .Kranjcar

75mins

Great chance for Benjani, the striker took the ball around Almunia before losing his balance and allowing Clichy to clear.

74mins

Arsenal have avoided defeat in 24 of 25 games this season in the Premier League, they are 15 minutes away from continuing that impressive record.

72mins

Another neat passing move from Arsenal amounts to nothing, they will be disappointed that they haven't created more clear chances.

71mins

Fabregas' lobbed pass almost finds Adebayor, but Distin makes a crucial clearance to end the attack.

69mins

Midway through the second half now, it looks like a moment of magic from one of the many flair players on the pitch may be needed for there to be a winner.

68mins

Muntari's cross is met by Benjani who couldn't get enough power on the header to beat .Almunia

65mins

Eboue replaced by Vassiriki Diaby as Wenger makes his first change of the evening.

65mins

During a quiet spell of the game it seems appropriate to mention it was a single goal from Sol Campbell which one the game for Arsenal in their last victory at Fratton Park.

63mins

Kanu's right foot volley goes miles over the bar, only a half chance for the Nigerian.

60mins

It's an easy decison for Bennett to book Eboue for aheavy challenge on Papa Bouba Diop.

60mins

The recently booked Lauren is one of four former Gunners to be playing for Portsmouth tonight, the others being Hughes, Campbell and Kanu.

59mins

Increasing pressure from the visitors, you get the feeling a goal could not be that far away.

58mins

Gallas finds Hleb who makes his way to the byline before his low cross is easily cleared by Hughes.

57mins

Booking for former Arsenal man Lauren after a foul on Rosicky.

57mins

Arsenal will see today as a must win after a big victory for title rivals Manchester United earlier today.

55mins

More defending for Portsmouth to do as a great through ball from Fabregas finds Adebayor who fires just wide.

53mins

A dangerous corner by Fabregas is headed over by Sagna, as Arsenal dominate the opening exchanges of the second half.

52mins

Eboue's cross is overhit by 10-15 yards as another attack breaks down, they need to improve their final ball into the box if they are to score tonight.

50mins

With Fabregas and Adebayor waiting, Alex Hleb's cross is over hit as a fantastic chance to take the lead goes begging.

48mins

Bacary Sagna's cross is headed away for an Arsenal corner, which leads to a penalty appeal being turned down by Steve Bennet.

47mins

Benjani beats Clichy and fires a shot into the arms of Almunia, an easy save in the end but good stuff from Benjani.

45mins

Underway at Fratton Park for the second half, Gallas remains on the pitch after an injury scare.

45mins

It's half time after an even first half, Arsene Wenger will be concerned over the fitness of Gallas after he limps off just before the half time whistle.

45mins

Two minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth offical, it is petering out towards the break.

43mins

Hreidarsson tackles Kolo Toure as the defender makes a bursting run forward, which sets Portsmouth on the attack, eventaually resulting in a goal kick to Arsenal.

42mins

The visitors are finishing in the half strongly, only a foul on Distin prevents another chance for them.

41mins

Rosicky attempts another curling shot, this time though there is no work for James to do as the midfielder's effort goes miles over the bar.

40mins

James is involved again as he comes off his line to tackle Adebayor who would have had an empty net ahead of him if it wasn't for the keeper's intervention.

39mins

Speaking of James, he is making his 150th consecutive Premier League appearance tonight.

37mins

Adebayor plays the ball to Rosicky who sees his curling shot saved extremely well by James who manages to hold onto the ball aswell.

36mins

The recent two defeats for Harry Redknapp's men came on the back of an eleven match unbeaten run, they are on track to begin another good run tonight as they continue to hold Arsenal.

33mins

As Portsmouth attack, Clichy goes down injured and to the dismay of the home crowd, Benjani kicks the ball out of play with his side in a promising position.

31mins

Gael Clichy's dangerous cross is cleared away by Campbell for an Arsenal corner which is collected easily by James.

30mins

Portsmouth corner is taken by Niko Kranjcar which finds the head of Hermann Hreidarsson before being cleared by Arsenal - good chance for Pompey.

28mins

Muntari comes close after a good run, his scuffed effort just goes wide of the far post. Excellent stuff from the Croatian.

26mins

Rosicky is brought down by a protesting Richard Hughes who claims he won the ball, free kick is not used well and the home side win back possession.

25mins

Portsmouth haven't beaten Arsenal at home since 1958, although three of the last four games at Fratton Park between the two sides have ended all square.

23mins

Eboue's cross just avades Adebayor as Arsenal push forward as we approach the 25 minute mark.

21mins

A good few minutes of play by Pompey, still yet to create a clear cut chance though.

20mins

Inswinging free kick from Sulley Muntari is wasted, before his second effort is saved well by Almunia.

19mins

Nwankwo Kanu powerful shot is blocked well by Gallas, as Portsmouth are getting themselves into the game.

17mins

William Gallas lets the ball bounce, which allows Benjani Mwaruwari into the box but he fails to find a team mate with his pass.

16mins

Arsenal are having most of the possesion now and certainly look threatening on the counter attack.

14mins

Rosicky places a ball into Eboue who hits his strike straight into the arms of James. It was a good chance for the youngster.

13mins

Manuel Almunia makes a poor clearance to give Portsmouth the throw in, as he continues to keep Jens Lehmann out of the Arsenal side.

13mins

Harry Redknapp's men have picked up eight more points on the road than at home, emphasising their fantastic away record.

11mins

After a lively start in the opening couple of moments, it's been a quiet few minutes.

10mins

Emmanuel Adebayor comes deep to collect the ball off Mathieu Flamini as he leads the line for the Gunners.

8mins

Only two English players starting todays game, both veterans - David James and Campbell.

7mins

Nice passing from the visitors, typical Arsenal - no chance created but a sign of things to come?

5mins

A slip from Sol Campbell concedes a corner against his former side, but the quick corner is cleared away by the home side.

4mins

Portsmouth haven't had the best of times at Fratton Park of late, they haven't scored at home since the 7-4 victory against Reading back in September.

3mins

Portsmouth on the attack now, a corner is cleared away by Fabregas, looks like it could be a good game tonight.

1mins

Great chance already for Arsenal, cross from Eboue is converted just over the bar by Cesc Fabregas, great start.

0mins

Underway at Fratton Park where an Arsenal win will see them top the table once again, they face a Portsmouth side who have lost their last two games.

Match Report

Manchester United ended the Christmas period on top of the Premier League after Arsenal were held to a goalless draw by Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

In a match of few incidents, Arsenal failed to score in the league for the first time this season and the point gained was not enough to reclaim the top spot.

Dogged Portsmouth, containing three of Arsene Wenger's 'invincibles' from a previous golden era, gave Arsenal little scope to show their smooth passing and flowing quality.

Kanu, Sol Campbell and Lauren all played their part in denying their old club the victory they needed.

Even so, Pompey have now failed to score in any of their last five home matches and have not beaten Arsenal in the league since March 1958.

Pompey have scored only 11 home goals all season - and seven of those came in one match against Reading at the end of September.

Arsenal had their chances and in the 38th minute might have gone ahead when a crisp shot from Tomas Rosicky was clutched in typically athletic style by David James.

Lauren was booked for a cynical challenge, as was Emmanuel Eboue for Arsenal, as both sides failed to mount a concerted period of pressure.

But 15 minutes from the end, Pompey had the best chance of the match when Zimbabwe striker Benjani Mwaruwari beat the offside trap and rounded goalkeeper Manuel Almunia only to see his half-hit shot cleared by Gael Clichy.

Pompey manager Harry Redknapp sent on Matt Taylor and John Utaka in a bid to fashion a surprise win.

Wenger retaliated by withdrawing the ineffective Alex Hleb and bringing on Nicklas Bendtner and it almost paid off.

As the match drifted towards its climax, William Gallas should have done better than swivel on to a Bendtner pass and carelessly loft over the bar from six yards.

Bendtner's purposeful run down the right in injury time set up Rosicky for the sort of chance he would normally have put away with relish.

But from ten yards, Rosicky summed up the whole match by clipping a shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Portsmouth

Arsenal

Corners

47

Fouls

159

Goal attempts

913

Shots off target

37

Offsides

47

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