Another chance to prove the doubters wrong? Or time for the upstarts to get their come-uppance?
Time for the Arsenal once again, last season was an absolute spanking by half time, 4-0 down at the interval and Thierry Henry running riot it was a much of a no-contest as you can get in football, Arsenal were in their usual top four position and Pompey were in theirs down at the bottom. This season however only one point separates Pompey from the gunners and third position, I`m sure most Arsenal fans will be expecting three points at the Emirates again, but this is a more resilient Pompey to last season and this year its Kanu of Pompey as top scorer in the Premiership and not Thierry Henry of Arsenal.
Henry is obviously going to the major injury disappointment for the gunners, his influence will always be missed on the park, and its now Cesc Fabregas who most men in red look to for inspiration in times of need. Pompey`s task would be much easier if he was to take a rest on Saturday!
If Pompey are to gain anything at the Emirates, they must take their lead from where Fulham and the like gained success earlier, in attacking rather than defending, almost like standing up to a playground bully, if you let Arsenal boss you, you will get torn apart, go toe to toe and they don`t like it.
Pompeys task will be that much harder if Kanu is ruled out with his twisted knee, Benjani is already ruled out with a tight hamstring and the rest of our strikers are already crocked for the next few weeks.
Mendes will be available after his suspension, but will have to displace either last weeks man of the match Davis, or the ever improving Fernandes, either who could feel rightly aggrieved to be dropped. Matt Taylor hopefully can carry on his purple patch, another screamer wouldn`t go amiss!
Sol Campbell insists he has nothing to prove to his old employers, but surely he will be right up for this one, as will the ex-Spurs contingent in our ranks, Pamarot, Mendes and Davis, maybe even Sol himself will be considered an ex-yid again now he has departed.
Third place beckons once again Pompey, this season has been all about proving critics wrong, once again maybe?
Play up Pompey
Paul
Vital Quotes:
Joe Jordan on stand-by!
Arsenal Team News:
Still no Henry and Gallas
Player to watch: Fabregas
Class shines through
Pompey Team News:
Benjani, Cole and Lua Lua all still out, Kanu 50-50
Mendes available
Player to watch: Taylor
Man in red hot form
Match Facts & Stats
Hammered last year
Ref Watch:
Steve Bennett