[alex18122003]

Arsenal slipped behind Manchester United to second place in the Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by a stubborn Portsmouth side at Fratton Park.

It is the first time Arsenal have failed to score in the Premier League all season, thanks in no small part to a quite excellent defensive performance by man-of-the-match Sol Campbell who shackled his former club in world class fashion.

Campbell and defensive partner Sylvain Distin were immense as Pompey set their stall to soak up a predictable Arsenal and occasionally threaten on the break.

David James only had one real save to make - a comfortable catch from a long range Tomas Rosicky effort in the first half - while the same man had Arsenal's second best chance when he drilled just wide late on after being set up by substitute Nicklas Bendtner.

The best opportunity for the Gunners had been and gone, William Gallas volleying over from close range after he cottoned onto Cesc Fabregas' mis-hit shot. But the most clear-cut chance of the game fell to Pompey, Benjani bursting clean through with 16 minutes remaining but knocking the ball too far when rounding Manuel Almunia and losing the ball when he really should have scored.

The first half had been a fairly inconsequential affair, Arsenal looking a touch tired and lacking a truly killer final ball, although the width offered by Emmanuel Eboue and Rosicky - Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy overlapping well - was wasted with only Emmanuel Adebayor foraging a lonely furrow up front.

Eboue fired over on five minutes after playing a deft one-two with the Togo striker that brilliantly carved open the Pompey defence, while Niko Krancjar sent a low drive just wide after turning Sagna on the edge of the box.

Both sides were effectively nullifying each other with packed midfielder, with Benjani operating more on the flanks for much of the game, and the burst in activity later in the second half came when Pompey shut up shop, asked Arsenal to come at them and solely attacked on the break.

Arsenal now have 44 points, one behind Manchester United - who thrashed Sunderland 4-0 at the Stadium of Light - while Pompey stay 7th after Everton made light work of Bolton.