Portsmouth 1 Arsenal 4
Fast, confident and two-footed, Aron Ramsey made one goal and scored another last night.
Ramsey, 19 on Boxing Day, replaced the injured Fabregas as Arsenal won 4-1 to stay in third place.
It’s unusual for a British player to be two-footed. How many have there been? Hoddle, Dalglish, who else? It’s too early in the morning to think of any others.
Manchester United, with Vidic and Brown now restored to centreback, thrashed Wigan 5-0.
Ramsey jabbed the ball square for Nasri to make it 2-0, then won the ball from Vanden Borre, swerved infield and fired a terrific shot inside the near post for 3-0. The lad is fiery and explosive but also very controlled and technical.
I hope Ramsey plays for Arsenal for the next 12 years, like Ray Parlour. After all, he’s a far better footballer than Aliadiere, who was an Arsenal player from 1999 to 2006. Aliadiere only scored one league goal but Grimandi claims he was a good signing !
When Arsenal went 3-0 up, I thought : Now bring on Jack ! Some hopes. An Englishman playing for Arsenal? He brought on Vela, who has never done much.
When Song and Vermaelen chased the same ball, leaving Belhadj unmarked, the Algerian scored a neat goal for 3-1.
Then Song headed in a well-aimed cross from Nasri.
The first goal in 27 was a fluke, Eduardo’s free-kick deflecting in off Kaboul.
Arsenal had dominated 80 of the 90 minutes against bottom club Portsmouth, who have been hit by a £6m tax bill from HM Revenue & Customs.
Pompey were due to sell David James, Kaboul and others, even before that demand was issued. The club is in tatters and their fans would like to lynch those responsible for the shambles.
PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): Begovic; Finnan, Kaboul, Ben Haim, Hreidarsson; Yebda, Mokoena (Borre, 59), Hughes (Brown, 90), Belhadj; Piquionne, Boateng (Kanu, 71). Subs not used: Ashdown (gk), Bouba Diop, Utaka, Wilson.
ARSENAL (4-3-3): Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore; Ramsey, Song, Diaby; Nasri (Eastmond, 85), Arshavin (Vela, 82), Eduardo (Rosicky, 70). Subs not used: Fabianski (gk), Rosicky, Vela, Silvestre, Wilshere, Merida, Eastmond.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
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