ADMIRABLE NELSON IS GUNNERS’ CUP HERO

WHEN Michael Eisner, the former Disney executive, sank his money into Portsmouth three years ago, he remarked how all the best sporting film scripts featured the triumph of the underdog. Pompey were perfectly cast in that role last night but, in the absence of an FA Cup upset, how about another narrative? One featuring an admirable performance from a young man by the name of Nelson. It was Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson, rather than Viscount Horatio, who sank the dream in the home of HMS Victory, creating two goals either side of half-time. The first was converted by Sokratis, a sweet volley, and the second from close-range by Eddie Nketiah. Kenny Jackett’s side, the lowest-ranked team in the last 16, could not find a response. They had not beaten Arsenal since 1958 and the wait goes on after Mikel Arteta’s team became the first into the quarter-finals. It was the perfect reaction to the disappointment of slumping out of the Europa League at home against Olympiacos on Thursday and Arteta’s young guns rose to the challenge of an intimidating atmosphere on the south coast. Afterwards, Arsenal skipper David Luiz, named man of the match, said: ‘I think it is important to do the job we are doing every single day. Since Mikel came, we have done well. ‘We need to be humble and understand we are not there yet. Tonight, I was pleased with the team and the young boys. ‘They have a great mentality and understand what is needed at a high level. ‘The clean sheet was great. This is the kind of thing we have to learn. We did it great tonight. ‘Everyone is 100-per-cent focused. I say to the young lads: “You are starting with a great opportunity at a big club.” ‘I’m the oldest in the team but, inside, my heart is young forever.’