Bendtner hits two as Arsenal win at Portsmouth

May 2, 2009 - 6:02 PM By JAMES PIERCY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner pressed his claims for a starting spot in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United with a match-winning brace to sink Portsmouth 3-0 at Fratton Park.

Bendtner, who was a second-half substitute during the first leg against United, headed his first courtesy of a horrific David James error before firing from the spot four minutes before the break following Sean Davis apparent foul on Andrei Arshavin.

Carlos Vela made sure of the points after a period of sustained pressure from Portsmouth before the hosts lost defender Noe Pamarot to a straight red card 12 minutes from time.

Arsenal must overtake a one-goal deficit at the Emirates on Tuesday if they have a hope of making their second Champions League final in three years.

Manager Arsene Wenger, who made a total of eight changes from the game at Manchester United in midweek, said: "I have not decided on the team for Tuesday but some could play from today.

"I think we were dominant apart from that patch in the second half. They had the potential to make it 2-1 but we scored on the break and that finished the game off for us.

"I always have believed in Nicklas Bendtner and he is developing very well. He showed that today.

"We prepare now for our next game which is a big one but we will be ready for it and you will see a very strong Arsenal team."

Portsmouth started positively with flying midfielder Nadir Belhadj stunning the Arsenal defence with a fine run, full of pace but lacking a convincing finish.

Arsenal though were soon in control as Vela had a penalty appeal turned down before they stole the lead thanks, in part, to some horrendous goalkeeping by England number one James.

Arshavin's corner was cleared straight back to him and the Russian's volleyed cross found Bendtner in space whose header despite being on target appeared to lack the power to trouble James only for the Pompey 'keeper to allow the ball through his fingers in embarrassing fashion.

Arsenal then had a further shout for a penalty with Arshavin downed as he burst between two Pompey defenders and Vela missed an opportunity from close range thanks to a fine last ditch challenge from Hermann Hreidarsson.

At the third time of asking referee Lee Mason eventually relented to Arsenal's pressure in the 18-yard-box with Arshavin collapsing under a tackle from Davis, however replays later proved it was a fine tackle from the Portsmouth midfielder.

Nevertheless Bendtner struck home his spot kick from 12 yards and Pompey boss Paul Hart was rushed into making a double substitution at half-time with the decision almost bearing fruit inside the first five minutes of the second period.

Former Arsenal striker Kanu was denied by Lukas Fabianski and fellow replacement John Utaka somehow failed to roll the ball into an empty net as he rounded the Polish 'keeper.

Vela made Portsmouth pay with his debut Premier League goal as he collected Arshavin's pass to fire across James and seal the victory.

Pamarot saw red towards the end of the encounter after Arshavin had drifted clear of a tired looking back four but Aaron Ramsey failed to trouble James with the subsequent free-kick.

Manager Hart, whose side are seven points away from the bottom three, said: "I don't think it was a penalty, I have seen it since and it was a great tackle. It made life very difficult against an extremely good Arsenal side.

"For long periods in the second half we took control, created another four chances and thought we could get back in it. They took their chances and we could not.

"We have not got a big squad and we struggle when our big players are missing. Arsene thinks we have enough to stay up but I am not quite as confident."