By Boris Mellor
March 24 2006

It seems incredible that we are only one week away from April and Arsenal are yet to win four Premiership games in a row. It is also incredible that the Gunners have the third best defence in the Premiership.

Not surprising if you have Cole, Campbell and Lauren, but in fact these three have, between them, been out for most of the season.

However their replacements have gone from strength to strength only conceding one goal in the last three games. With solidity at the back midfield confidence has grown and the chances made increased. With more chances the goals have begun to flow.

With Juventus on Tuesday Arsene will have to juggle his resources to be effective over two games in four games. The injury situation is beginning to improve, but Campbell is only 90% fit to quote Wenger. Reyes and Freddy are still to recover, the only major plus is that van Persie is back in the squad. Freddy may be in the squad by Tuesday, as could Campbell, Walcott is also available.

Portsmouth away is never an easy game, and they are now fighting for their life. This is a tricky fixture. Portsmouth have their first chance to win three in a row for the first time in 72 outings! A last ditch win against Man City at home (2-1) and a 4-2 win at West Ham will have raised their confidence. However they have not scored against Arsenal in the last three meetings, and have never beaten the Gunners in the Premiership.

Arsenal had a 4-0 easy ride against Pompey at home, but Redknapp signed a suicide note by resting his best players,but he will do Arsenal no such favour this time, and Pompey are much improved since then. This could be a tough match, but Arsenal have to win it, as their main competitors for fourth spot have a far easier ride. Four in a row will be proof that the real Arsenal are back.

Blackburn and Bolton both play teams who had wearying cup games midweek. Middlesboro and Charlton have a real prospect of reaching the FA cup final, as the winner will play West Ham in the semi-final. I can’t imagine them putting their all in to the games against these couple of Lancashire bruisers. Would you?