FLUKE WHO'S AT IT AGAIN BHOYS.

Byline: HUGH KEEVINS

ARSENAL ..4 PORTSMOUTH ..1

WILLIAM GALLAS proved he's the luckiest man going when he wrapped up the points for Arsenal yesterday as Portsmouth threatened a shock result at the Emirates.

The defender who fluked a goal at Celtic Park on Tuesday night shouldn't even have been on the park, never mind credited with being the hero when he scored from close range in the second half.

Gallas clearly brought down Pompey's John Utaka when the striker was clean through and threatening to make the score 2-2. The Frenchman was the last defender and denied a clear-cut scoring opportunity but referee Steve Bennet bottled his responsibilities and two minutes later Gallas proved he has a lasting relationship with Lady Luck.

A free-kick knocked across goal by Thomas Varmaelen hit Gallas on the foot, bounced up and went into the net off his head.

With luck like this going for him, Celtic should beware Gallas going for a hat-trick of flukes in the Champions League return leg in London on Wednesday night.

But that's just one of the problems Tony Mowbray's side face.

Assistance

Arsenal were a far better side and thoroughly deserved their win in spite of Gallas' let-off. The only surprise was it took so long for them to show their superiority.

They needed an own goal to embarrass Gary Caldwell, as well as Gallas' 'effort' when they were at Celtic Park. And for 18 minutes yesterday it looked as if they might need assistance to score again.

But Eduardo's run and cut-back found Abou Diaby and his side footed shot powered its way high into David James' net.

Three minutes later Diaby struck again from close range to confirm the gulf in class between the sides. The irony was neither goal involved Cesc Fabregas, who runs the midfield to the extent team-mates get out of the way and give him possession.

The score could have been humiliating for the visitors but when Arsenal weren't showboating and trying to walk the ball into the net they were being defied by some desperate defending.

The kings of London, as they call themselves, were looking irresistible. James had to perform heroics to keep the score at a respectable level, pulling off a marvellous save from a Robin van Persie free-kick.

And then there was a sign the Gunners were only human after all when Pompey pulled a goal back against the run of play eight minutes before the interval.

The cross from Nadir Belhadj was nothing special but Manuel Almunia looked slow to react and Younes Kaboul headed home.

But do Celtic possess any aerial threat if Almunia is at fault on Wednesday? Welsh kid Aaron Ramsey took Fabregas' place for the start of the second half and whatever forced the swap Celtic would have no objection to the condition being serious enough to rule him out.

They could use any help that comes their way because Arsenal could, and should, have won this match by an even greater margin.

Ramsey made it 4-1 when he beat the offside trap and slipped the ball under the beleaguered James.

By the time James was replaced by Asmir Begovic, 15 minutes from the end, it was difficult to know if he was injured or leaving in disgust.

Artur Boruc should prepare for a long night in north London.

CAPTION(S):

Top Gunners: Abou Diaby celebrates his goal against Portsmouth (main pic) and William Gallas earns himself another massive helping hand from Lady Luck (inset)