Portsmouth 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal missed the chance to reclaim top spot after drawing with Portsmouth.

In a game of few clear chances, Arsenal came closest to scoring in the first half through Tomas Rosicky but his dipping shot was saved by David James.

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia had a quieter time of it, though he got down quickly to save Niko Kranjcar's shot.

Benjani burst clear for Pompey but his touch to get past Almunia was too heavy, while William Gallas and Rosicky went desperately close for Arsenal.

The result - Portsmouth's fifth 0-0 draw at Fratton Park this season - allowed Manchester United to go one point clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.

Arsenal might feel they should have won this game given their almost complete control of the second half, but Portsmouth were worth the draw given the way they stuck to their tactical plan.

That involved deploying Kanu as a lone attacker and stifling Arsenal with a five-man midfield.

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It was only in the second half that Arsenal's fluid passing game began to get going and even when it was up and running the visitors proved unable to consistently test James.

That had much to do with a superb display from Sol Campbell in the Portsmouth defence as Pompey became the first side to stop Arsenal scoring this season in the league.

Arsenal began and finished the first half at a brisk pace, but in between Portsmouth dominated proceedings.

Emmanuel Eboue showcased his marauding ability on the right of midfield in those early stages, while as the first half drew to a close, James was twice called into action.

James's save from Rosicky's shot demonstrated the Portsmouth goalkeeper's superb athleticism.

The trajectory of Rosicky's shot looked to have beaten James, but he somehow managed to elongate his dive that little bit extra to clutch hold of the ball.

James showed he was equally adept at reading the game as he rushed out of the box to get the ball ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor.

With just Kanu in attack, Harry Redknapp's side lacked the necessary numbers to regularly test the Arsenal defence.

Almunia only had two moments of real concern in those frenetic opening 45 minutes.

Benjani put in a dangerous cross early on, while Kranjcar went close with a shot from just outside the box.

Benjani had the clearest opening of the match when his intelligent run was picked out by Kanu.

The former Auxerre star managed to go past Almunia but his touch took him too wide and Arsenal cleared the danger.

In the closing minutes Gallas shot over from close range, while Rosicky went agonisingly close with a low fizzing shot.

"You have to be disciplined or you will get ripped to pieces. To keep a clean sheet against Arsenal is fantastic.

"We worked our socks off and this is a great point for us, well deserved."

"In the second half Pompey did not come out of their half - offensively they did not play too well, but they just had Kanu playing up front on his own.

"I guess they got the maximum they could from this type of game. They made it very, very difficult for us."

Portsmouth: James, Lauren, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Mwaruwari (Utaka 81), Diop, Hughes, Muntari, Kranjcar (Taylor 76), Kanu.
Subs Not Used: Begovic, Traore, Nugent.

Booked: Lauren, Diop.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Diaby 65), Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb (Bendtner 82), Rosicky, Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Diarra, Song Billong.

Booked: Eboue.

Att: 20,556

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:Cesc Fabregas 7.45 (on 90 minutes).