Yesterday's performance was dismal to say the least. Arsenal were very good, I'll give them that, but where was the fight from those in a blue shirt? I thought that we'd at least show Arsene's men that they'd be in for a tough game given how well we'd pressured Liverpool a fortnight ago but there was no determination from any of Avram Grant's men.
Apart from the opening ten minutes when Boateng slipped when clean through on goal, Arsenal completely dominated a Pompey side who didn't close down the opposition or even attempt a proper tackle.
The opening goal was an absolute farce, too. Mokoena's stupid challenge led to the dangerous free kick but why did Hermann Hreidarsson go to the post, knowing he was playing an Arsenal player onside, only to not even to attempt to clear the ball as Eduardo's free kick deflected straight past him?
The second goal was just as bad and I think training cones would have done a better job of defending the goal as the static Pompey players allowed Arsenal far too much time on the ball, which meant Nasri could simply pick his spot and put the game out of reach before half-time.
I sat there in the Fratton End completely despondent at the first half showing our players had produced. On rare occasion when we did have possession nobody but Belhadj had the balls to shoot, and I felt sorry for Piquionne who worked hard up front on his own but had absolutely no support.
It was like we had waved the white flag and despite a second half improvement, the fans were more interested in voicing their vitriol at the board with some angry chants that haven't been heard at Fratton Park for years.
Aaron Ramsey scored a superb individual goal that even I had to applaud and at least we managed to score a goal ourselves after some good work from Vanden Borre and Belhadj led to the Algerian striking a deflected shot past Almunia.
But the three goal deficit was restored when, yet again, Pompey allowed the Gunners far too much time on the ball which meant Nasri could pick out the unmarked Alexandre Song to head in the fourth.
The final whistle blew and only Piquionne and Belhadj could walk down that tunnel with any pride last night after decent individual efforts but serious questions need to be asked about the rest of them.
The defence lacks any organisation and needs a leader and our midfield is shockingly bad when Mokoena and Hughes are in it, especially the former who is already one of the first names on the "Worst Pompey Premier League XI" team sheet after yet another woeful performance.
The protests continued after the final whistle but Avram Grant is the man who has my sympathy as he has to sort out this mess and is now without four key players for over a month.
His job of motivating the players isn't going to be made any easier with the news that Pompey haven't paid anyone today due to a "file error at the bank". They are expected to be paid on Tuesday.
Saying that, I don't think our players deserve to be paid after such a gutless performance yesterday, regardless of the fact it was against a classy Arsenal side challenging for the title.
I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone who reads Fratton Faithful a Happy New Year. 2009 has been a terrible year for everyone associated with PFC, but I fear 2010 may be even worse.
Pompey Player Ratings
Asmir Begovic: 5 - Can't really be blamed for any of the goals, but his confidence will be shot by this.
Steve Finnan: 4 - Constantly pinned back.
Younes Kaboul: 5 - Lacked any organisation.
Tal Ben-Haim: 5 - Give the runaround.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 4 - Made many mistakes.
Hassan Yebda: 5 - Hardly saw the ball.
Richard Hughes: 4 - Might have been sent off for two yellows if the referee didn't feel sorry for us. Completely outclassed by Arsenal's midfield.
Aaron Mokoena: 3 - Can't pass and timing of tackles was terrible.
Kevin-Prince Boateng: 5 - Couldn't get into the game.
Nadir Belhadj: 7 - Scored the goal and at least showed some attacking intent.
Frederic Piquionne: 6 - Worked as hard as he could, it's a shame those around him didn't.
Substitutes
Jamie Ashdown
Anthony Vanden Borre (Mokoena 58): 6 - Didn't look too bad in his cameo.
Marc Wilson
Michael Brown (Hughes 90): N/A - Most likely put on so Hughes didn't see red.
Papa Bouba Diop
John Utaka
Kanu (Boateng 71): N/A - Game was long gone when he came on.