A young Arsenal side secured their Champions League spot for the next season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Saturday.

A number of first team players were rested with one eye of their Champions League clash against Manchester United but the replacements proved to be more than enough for Arsenal who dominated the chances throughout the game.

Arsenal should have been awarded a penalty early in the game when Carlos Vela was fouled by Sylvain Distin in the penalty area but referee awarded a corner instead. However it was not long before the visitors were celebrating thanks to a goalkeeping error by David James.

Andrei Arshavin's cross into the area was headed towards the target by Nicklas Bendtner and though the shot should have been easily saved, James somehow allowed the ball to slip through his hands and into the net.

Bendtner then doubled the lead five minutes before the half time whistle after Arsenal were awarded a fortunate penalty following a challenge from Sean Davis on Arshavin. Pompey ringed the changes at the start of the second half with Kanu and John Utaka coming on but though there was an improvement in Portsmouth's performance, it was not enough to trouble the Arsenal defense.

The match was put beyond doubt in the 56th minute as a swift counter attacking move found Arshavin and the Russian international passed the ball on for Vela who made no mistake from close range to score Arsenal's third goal of the match.