READY EDDIE GO!
Reiss the mastermind as young Gunners tame Pompey to claim their place in last eight
This was not the script ordered by Michael Eisner, the Disney executive who sank his money into Portsmouth and remarked how the best sporting films always featured the triumph of the underdog.
instead, another sweet narrative, one in which the Pompey dream was sunk by an admirable performance from a young man by the name of Nelson.
Arsenal sailed into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and it was Reiss Nelson not Viscount horatio who clinched victory on the south coast, creating two goals either side of half-time with two wonderful crosses from the right flank.
The first was converted by sokratis, a sweet volley, and the second was hammered in from close range by Eddie Nketiah.
For Mikel Arteta it was the perfect response to the disappointment of a shock defeat in the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos. Arteta held his nerve and made nine changes to the team, trusting in his young players and they passed the test by silencing the raucous atmosphere inside Fratton Park where Portsmouth have been in strong form this season.
‘ Yes, it was a risk,’ said the Arsenal boss. ‘But i had no doubt about picking them. Even if we had won in the Europa League i assessed the team, some of them were exhausted, some of them had issues, some of them mentally were still hanging over what happened on Thursday.
‘They responded really well with all the energy. in the 94th minute they were still pressing and chasing and working. it’s a joy to see them. i am enjoying working with them. They fully deserve the chance. it’s risky to play them in this competition but they are worth that risk.’ The only concern for Arsenal came in the shape of an injury to Lucas Torreira, who hobbled out of Fratton Park on crutches and with his left foot in a protective boot after a twisting an ankle in a strong first-half challenge from James Bolton. ‘he was in a lot of pain,’ said Arteta. ‘he’ll get it assessed in the next few days. i don’t know if it’s the bone or ligaments yet.’ Portsmouth started with intensity and aggression and disturbed Arsenal at the back with a swerving cross by steve seddon and an effort from Ellis harrison that deflected wide. David Luiz and Pablo Mari, on his debut, won important headers to protect their goal during the early phase of pressure.
Arsenal lost Torreira inside 15 minutes. Bolton slid in and took the ball cleanly but flattened the Uruguayan with his momentum and left him writhing in agony.
Dani Ceballos came on and the short interval cost Pompey their impetus. Until then, Arsenal’s only flash of menace had come from an explosive run and cross, flashed low across goal by Nketiah.
But they performed with more control when play restarted. Bukayo saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Nelson (left) caused problems out wide and both Nketiah and Martinelli were unable to convert decent — though not simple — chances from close range.
Nketiah dragged another effort wide after good play by Luiz, carrying the ball through midfield.
Portsmouth were forced deeper and their occasional forays
forward were rushed. gareth Evans went closest with a header which went wide and then in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time they slipped behind.
an arsenal corner was cleared and collected by Ceballos who found Nelson on the right and his cross was met on full the by Sokratis. It was a stylish finish from the greek centre half who was operating again as a right back.
‘That deflated us,’ said Pompey manager Kenny Jackett. ‘ We needed those moments to go for us in the first half and were disappointed not to get to half-time at 0-0. after the second we really had to battle because arsenal can get on top but make you pay and we never gave up and gave everything to the end.’
Pompey stirred briefly at the start of the second half. Matteo guendouzi acted smartly to prevent Harrison from tearing clear on the counter and Luke Williams jinked into the penalty area from the right only to drag his shot wide.
arsenal stretched the lead six minutes after the restart. Nelson drove down the right and delivered another cross. It was contested by Nketiah and Bolton and dropped kindly for the striker to pounce and net.
Nketiah had the nerve to goad the Fratton End. Perhaps he knew the tie was over. arsenal had not been knocked out of the Fa Cup by a team from the third tier or lower since the Wrexham defeat in 1992. They have not lost to Portsmouth since 1958.
The wait goes on. arteta’s team move on. Back to Premier League action with a derby against West Ham on Saturday.
Pompey have a promotion clash at Peterborough next and they will have their day at Wembley in next month’s EFL Trophy final against Salford.
‘I’m proud of what we’ve done in the Fa Cup,’ said Jackett. ‘We were the last League One team in it. This was arsenal’s night and we wish them all the best.’