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Stylish Arsenal win it Wenger's way
Stylish Arsenal win it Wenger's way
Monday September 03, 2007
Arsenal turned on the style to beat Portsmouth 3-1 on Sunday and underline why Arsene Wenger believes he can succeed without help from any Russian billionaires.
Wenger's side completely overwhelmed Portsmouth at the Emirates Stadium to extend their unbeaten start to the season despite playing most of the second half with 10 men.
Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring from the penalty spot and Cesc Fabregas added a second before Philippe Senderos was sent off.
Tomas Rosicky put the result beyond doubt and Nwankwo Kanu's instant reply was no consolation for the visitors.
Wenger may find he has a vast amount of roubles to spend if David Dein's decision to sell his stake in Arsenal to Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov leads to a takeover.
But the Frenchman's belief that it is better to build a team with a mix of youth and experience rather than paying big money for star names is bearing fruit once again.
"We had an outstanding performance," said Wenger.
"We were tested in all areas. In the first half we played fantastic football and always looked a threat.
"In the second half we were tested mentally as well and we have showed a great response.
"Since the beginning of the season something is happening in this team. They fight for each other, they have a great togetherness and love for the game."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp was furious with his side's defending.
"Arsenal are a terrific side and when they pass and move they are as good as anybody," he said. "You've got to be at your best to live with them but you can't afford to gift them goals like we did.
"The third goal was as bad as I've ever seen. I've never seen anything like it. We concede a free-kick and players were switching off, walking away, not looking at the ball.
"You don't suddenly walk away and think about something else. That's what happened and we got punished."
It took only seven minutes for Arsenal to take the lead. So often Wenger's side score the perfectly crafted goal but this one owed more to good fortune than good passing.
Gael Clichy closed down Lauren on the edge of the Portsmouth area and the momentum of his challenge sent the ball through to Robin van Persie.
The Dutch striker took full advantage. He clipped the ball round David James and when the Portsmouth goalkeeper's slide sent him sprawling a penalty was the inevitable result.
Van Persie had missed his last penalty against Manchester City and he handed the spot-kick duties to Adebayor.
It was the right decision. Adebayor stepped up and languidly sent James the wrong way to claim his first goal of the season.
Arsenal were in the mood now. While their purist principles sometimes lead to over-elaboration, when everything clicks they are a breath-taking sight.
Glen Johnson, making his Portsmouth debut, must have wished he was back in Chelsea's reserves as Clichy and Rosicky combined time and again down the left flank.
The second goal came after Adebayor won a corner from another flowing raid in the 35th minute.
Gilberto Silva flicked on Rosicky's set-piece and the ball struck Fabregas high on his arm before falling kindly for him to drive past James from close range.
The visitors were handed a glimmer of hope when Kanu got behind Senderos in the 49th minute.
Senderos clumsily dragged the former Arsenal forward down on the edge of the area and, as he was the last man, referee Mark Halsey had no option but to send him off.
Arsenal kept attacking despite Senderos's dismissal and were rewarded for their enterprise with a third goal after 59 minutes.
Fabregas took a quick free-kick to Rosicky and the Czech winger drilled his shot past James via a deflection off Johnson.
Portsmouth reduced the deficit in bizarre fashion a minute later when Kanu met John Utaka's cross and somehow diverted the ball past Manuel Almunia.
That was as good as it got for Portsmouth. For most of the half it looked like they were the team with 10 men as Arsenal's counter-attacks cut them open.
Only poor finishing prevented Arsenal scoring more, with Abou Diaby guilty of a shocking miss from Clichy's cross.
The Gunners look in the rudest of health. No wonder Wenger is ready to sign a new contract next week.
AFP
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