On more than one occasion over the years I’ve attended Portsmouth v Arsenal fixtures and longed for a roof over the away end. Finally, they’ve got one and I spent most of yesterday’s match ruing it. The sun beat down on the players, but at the back of the Arsenal section, not only were we in total shade, but a chill sea breeze cut through spectators like a knife.

What the roof does achieve is that it helps the acoustics of the atmosphere created by the travelling support, and on this level, it was a fantastic performance. Eboue is evidently a cult hero these days, and the chant to the tune of ‘I Like To Move It’ kept us entertained with frequent renditions as the subject of the ditty had a pretty good game at left back.

Overall, it was a decent performance all round by the visitors. Could have been a different game if Pompey had converted some of their gilt-edged chances, so no-one’s going to read too much into this result, but it was enjoyable nevertheless. Luck may have been on the Gunners’ side, but I have to confess I’ve not seen any TV coverage of the action since watching it in the flesh. Got back a bit late for Match of the Day after spending the evening in a Southsea hostelry. Calamity James seemed to gift the first goal and a text informed us that the second was never a penalty. But from the other end of the pitch I was convinced enough!

Pompey aren’t mathematically safe yet, and maybe there was some nervousness amongst their support. Whatever the reason, I’ve never experienced it as quiet as it was yesterday. It shows even those with reputations for getting behind their team have off days. Nothing seemed to get them going, although in truth, Arsenal pretty much controlled the game from start to finish.

There was a bit too much dilly-dallying and after you stuff from the Gunners around the edge of the Pompey box, but that’s something we’ve become familiar with. It will have to change, and it’s a definite weakness in their make-up – the reluctance to take a snap shot – but sometimes it doesn’t matter and they get away with it. Yesterday was one such case.

Arsenal have a mathematical chance of leapfrogging Chelsea into third place, but it’s unlikely given the fixtures. Aside from beating Gus Hiddink’s team next weekend, they then have to hope that the side above them lose to either Blackburn at home or Sunderland away – not forgetting the small matter of Arsenal needing to win at Old Trafford. Possible? Yes. Likely? You’d get long odds on that combination of results. Goal difference might also come into it, and that favours the south west London team.

It means a qualifying campaign for the Champions League at the start of next season. Something the manager loathes, and it will involve tougher opposition in 2009/10. The UEFA rules are a bit confusing on this, so I am not even sure if Arsenal would need to play just the one round they have previously.

There is another way. Making it to Rome at the end of May and beating either Barcelona or Chelsea would mean automatic entry into the group stages. Which brings us to the little matter of Tuesday evening. There’s already been plenty written both here and elsewhere on what’s ahead, and there will be more to follow. So I’ll keep it brief here. Same result as yesterday for Arsenal would do just fine. And a similar backing of the team would not go amiss either. Come on you Gunners, and indeed Gooners.