Arsenal has its first home game tomorrow after winning their first two on the road in impressive fashion. In Portsmouth, however, the Gunners will face a different test.
Finishing fourth from bottom will be a great accomplishment for this year's Pompey side. They have lost Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch and still haven't had the funds to replace them, let alone add to a squad that fell dangerously close to the relegation zone last term. As a result, Portsmouth play a tediously boring 4-5-1 formation with 3 holding midfielders and leave it up to their opponents to break them down, and stop the potential of a counter attack. Portsmouth has yet to score a goal this season, and it looks unlikely that they would be able to score at the Emirates in open play, at least, but they will be a threat on set pieces.
Arsenal may rest some players after playing the same side against Everton and Celtic in successive games earlier this week. Walcott is still out with a back injury, as is Nasri, Djourou, and of course Rosicky (RIP). Look for Diaby and possibly Eduardo to get a start, but for most of the side to remain the same.
In all the game will be decided when the first goal is scored. If Pompey can nick a goal off a set piece and then pull everyone back to defend, Arsenal could find the going tough at home. If the Gunners get an early goal, however, and force Portsmouth to come out and play, the result could become lop-sided in a hurry. Let's hope for that early goal. Preferably by van Persie, Arshavin, or Bendtner so they can get their season up and running before the second leg with Celtic on Wednesday and the big matchup against a wounded Chelsea at Old Trafford next weekend.
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