A determined defensive performance from Portsmouth was compromised in the final ten minutes of the game at Emirates Stadium as an error from David James allowed William Gallas to secure an important 1-0 win for Arsenal against their former favourite Tony Adams.
The Gunners appeared on course for a fourth successive league draw and an insurmountable 12-point deficit behind league leaders Liverpool as Portsmouth produced a resolute display that would have pleased Adams in his Arsenal prime.
But the former club captain, who pulled on the red and white shirt 669 times to cement himself as an all-time great in this particular corner of the capital, saw his dreams of outwitting his former mentor Arsene Wenger denied on 81 minutes when James missed a Denilson free-kick and allowed Gallas to head into an empty net.
A fourth consecutive defeat, and a run of three wins in 15 games since replacing Harry Redknapp, instead leaves Adams and Portsmouth just three points clear of relegation, with a winter exodus seemingly looming and having seen Papa Bouba Diop stretchered off late on with a potentially serious knee injury.
Arsenal sneak back into the top four, above Aston Villa by virtue of goals scored having played one game more, but the need for fresh faces in January and the kind of leadership that Adams once embodied was still evident after a somewhat unconvincing display.
Deprived of Cesc Fabregas due to a long term injury and with Robin van Persie rested on the bench, Arsenal looked completely devoid of any imagination or energy as an understrength midfield comprising Emmanuel Eboue, Denilson, Abou Diaby, Samir Nasri and, wide on the left, Nicklas Bendtner, toiled in the face of a determined Pompey side.
In their application and desire, the visitors from the South Coast were the mirror image of their manager in his playing days and on 32 minutes, Sylvain Distin and Sol Campbell combined to produce a moment worthy of Adams and Martin Keown circa 1998 when keeping The Gunners at bay.
When Emmanuel Adebayor chased onto an Diaby pass and nicked the ball past David James it looked a certain goal for the Togo international on his return from suspension, but Campbell’s excellent sliding challenge did just enough to prevent Adebayor from converting immediately and as he readied himself for a second attempt, Distin came across to clear in front of an open goal.
It was an excellent piece of teamwork to keep Pompey level, but Adams and his charges should already have been in front as Peter Crouch leapt above the helpless William Gallas to head a Marc Wilson cross down and against the upright after 24 minutes.
Arsenal did not go anywhere near as close in the remainder of the first half with Nasri, installed in a central role in Fabregas’s absence, the home side’s biggest threat as the young Frenchman saw two shots deflected wide by Pompey’s defensive wall.
After the break, an erratic display from James gave a lacklustre Arsenal some hope and belief as he twice failed to claim crosses when coming for a high ball.
On the second occasion, after 60 minutes, his failure to catch gifted Adebayor a glorious chance to shoot into an unguarded net but as Pompey’s defenders swarmed back, the striker produced a terrible finish and only succeeded in finding the side netting.
Bendtner was also lacking a clinical touch when breaking free from a corner to head straight at a wall of players, including Papa Bouba Diop who saw the ball inadvertently bounce away off his hand.
Arsenal’s best work continued to come from the boot of Nasri and when played in on goal by a neat pass from Bendtner the Frenchman saw his low effort repelled by James. Still though, Arsenal were denied in front of their home support.
Their breakthrough, which came after 82 minutes, was thanks to another error from James as he misjudged his attempt to claim a Denilson free-kick. Gallas stole in front of him to meet the ball and head into an empty net to relieve the growing tension at Emirates Stadium.
Pompey’s woes were only exacerbated when Diop was forced off with an apparently serious knee injury sustained in a sliding challenge with Denilson.
STAR MAN: Sylvain Distin (8/10). The Frenchman was at the heart of Portsmouth's excellent defensive work and his first-half clearance epitomised his input. Arsene Wenger may have taken note. Click here for our full ratings and stats.