Arsenal v Portsmouth preview

Visitors out to end unhappy Gunners record

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 31st August 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Arsenal v Portsmouth preview

Johnson: Pompey move

MATCH FACTS

skysports.com prediction: Arsenal 2 Portsmouth 1

Player to watch: Cesc Fabregas

Sky Bet odds: Arsenal 1/2 Draw 12/5 Portsmouth 11/2

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Portsmouth will have to end a 52-year hoodoo if they are to record their first away victory since Boxing Day as they make the trip to Emirates Stadium to tackle Arsenal, live on Sky Sports 1.

Harry Redknapp's side, who have not beaten the Gunners in North London since September 1955, have struggled on their travels in recent months and have not won in 12 games on the road.

Arsenal are unbeaten so far this season having overcome Manchester City and Fulham, drawn with Blackburn and had little difficulty in their UEFA Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague.

Johnson

New Pompey signing Glen Johnson is expected to go straight into the squad after completing his move to Fratton Park from Chelsea on a four-year deal.

But fellow defender Linvoy Primus will not be in contention despite making his comeback from summer knee surgery in the reserve team's midweek defeat by Chelsea.

Primus played the first 45 minutes of the 4-0 defeat but needs more reserve action to build up his match fitness before being considered by Redknapp.

Lehmann

Gunners goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is still sidelined with the Achilles injury he aggravated in Germany's friendly victory over England at Wembley so Manuel Almunia will continue to deputise.

Bacary Sagna (back) is expected to return after missing the midweek victory over Prague while William Gallas (groin) and Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) are still out.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already stated that he does not expect there to be any further transfer movement involving the Gunners before the window closes at midnight on Friday.

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