Reserves: Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 0

Despite the fact that the Champions were in town, their team contained few of the household names that you might associate with Arsenal Football Club. Karbassiyoon at the back? Owusu Abeyie up front? These are probably the household names of the future, although I dread to think how their names will come out in London - "just going daan Highbury to watch Karbayssaiyyaoon ain't I moosh?" Still, I digress.

A game of few chances - Pompey hit the bar through Mezague early doors, following a neat free kick routine. The visitors had a free kick of their own which Guatelli did well to save. The Italian keeper was in fine form, although for the second reserve match in the row he chose to venture outside his area and make a mistake - last week he was sent off for a cynical chop, this week he got a booking for handling outside the box. Still it's all experience, and there's no doubting his natural quality, as he made some good saves throughout the evening.

To be honest, not much to really get excited about - when one of the players on the teamsheet is named as "Trialist" you know what sort of an evening you're in for (it actually turned out to be some guy from Grays Athletic by the name of Popovic - still none the wiser, if I'm honest). Arsenal had a 100% record coming into the match; at least we can be pleased that a team made up of youngsters brought an end to that with a determined and gutsy performance.