PORTSMOUTH 0, ARSENAL 3

A FEW Arsenal first-team stars might be sitting uneasily in their plush apartments today.

After hearing how the youngsters snapping at their heels for a crack at Manchester United on Tuesday so easily overcame Portsmouth, they may be wondering if their place in the Champions League semi-final return leg is as assured as they thought.

The likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby and Kolo Toure didn't exactly distinguish themselves at Old Trafford last Wednesday night - and the over-riding feeling was that the Gunners were a bit fortunate to escape with just one goal separating the teams.

In fact, only goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and rookie left-back Kieran Gibbs were judged to have emerged with any credit from the game.

The performances of Nicklas Bendtner, Johan Djourou, Carlos Vela and Denilson at Pompey, however, set them apart from their peers on the day and might well have given boss Arsene Wenger something to think about as they confirmed their side's place in the Champions League for the 12th season running.

Wenger made eight changes to the team that lost at United, while one or two of the regulars sat at home will also be relieved that Andrey Arshavin is cup-tied.

Arsenal's stiffs might have been playing a side far inferior to Sir Alex Ferguson's - but they were still up against experienced players who have shown good form recently.

SPOT ON - Nicklas Bendtner scores his second from the penalty spot

Let's also not forget that Paul Hart's side still had a mathematical chance of relegation.

So when Wenger reflected on the game and told reporters - not once, but twice - that he had not made his mind up about his starting side for Tuesday's clash, the players who failed to impose themselves in the first leg will surely have taken note. When he insisted he never has any qualms throwing in young players, the twitching might really have started in earnest.

For all Wenger's confidence in the days following the first leg, he must be wondering if his players can lift themselves for one almighty crack at United at The Emirates.

He must have doubts about his porous defence, and concerns over whether Adebayor really can get the better of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. For that reason alone, perhaps the time could be right to spring a surprise on Fergie by unleashing just one lucky candidate from this stroll on the South Coast into Arsenal's biggest game of the season.

FRATTON SPARK - David James can't stop Nicklas Bendtner hitting the back of the net

If yesterday's match is anything to go by, Dane Bendtner might be the man. True, he won't be facing a backline as old as Pompey's - or a goalkeeper as erratic as David James - but his all-round display showed his undoubted class and his hunger to impress.

He got Arsenal up and running in the 13th minute in dubious circumstances when his tame header slipped through the hands of James. Pompey had enjoyed their fair share of possession and went close to equalising when Peter Crouch was sent clear before placing his shot narrowly wide.

The home side were left feeling aggrieved six minutes before half-time when Sean Davis brought down Arshavin and referee Lee Mason gave a penalty. Bendtner stepped up to claim his second of the game but TV replays suggested the decision was harsh.

That should have killed the game as a contest. Usually when Arsenal are in this mood, nobody can get the ball off them. To Pompey's credit, they made two changes at half-time and had a real go.

CLEVER VELA - Carlos Vela scores to make it 3-0

John Utaka twice went close and even when Arsenal added a third after the break through Mexican Carlos Vela they forced two more fine saves out of Lukasz Fabianski.

Surprisingly, a fair chunk of the Pompey fans disappeared before the game entered its final 10 minutes. The Arsenal fans sang, "Is there a fire drill?"

Wenger will be praying that his hopes of finally bringing the Champions League trophy to North London this season will not be so easily extinguished.

• POSH LEWIS IN FRAME
• SYLVAIN DISTIN WANTED

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