Hart expects tough test

30 April 2009 21:00
Paul Hart is expecting a tough game when his Portsmouth side take on Arsenal at the weekend whatever team Arsene Wenger puts out. With the Fratton Park clash sandwiched between the Gunners' UEFA Champions League semi-final tie with Manchester United many expect Wenger to field a weakened side. Defender Mikael Silvestre and striker Eduardo have both been ruled out while Robin van Persie is unlikely to be risked ahead of Tuesday's second leg. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and frontman Emmanuel Adebayor both appeared to take knocks in the 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford and could also find themselves staying at home as a precaution on Saturday. "Whatever team Arsene Wenger puts out they will be a handful," Hart said. "I hope the fact that he may have one eye on the return leg with United will be an advantage to us but if he changes the side and puts players in with something to prove there is no saying it will be any easier. "Whatever the case I am anticipating a tough game." If Pompey manage to beat the North Londoners, they have not won in 11 attempts since they gained promotion to the Premier League in 2003, then survival will be all but secured. The South Coast club are currently seven points above the drop zone and three points against Arsenal would see them surpass the magical 40-point mark. However Hart is refusing to get drawn on whether one more win would preserve their Premier League status. "I would still be hard pushed to say we are safe if we beat Arsenal but it would make the situation look an awful lot better," he added. "We would be making great strides if we took three points, but whenever Arsenal have played league games sandwiched between European ties Arsene has played his strongest side in most of them - or at least getting close to it. "Our players are in good nick at the moment and we would hope it won't get to the final day of the season before we are safe. "We have established a foothold and now want to climb the table as high as we can."

Source: SKY_Sports