Arsenal's predicted lineup to face Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.placeholder image
Arsenal's predicted lineup to face Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round. | Getty Images/ Canva
Arsenal face Portsmouth in a big FA Cup showdown
The fixtures sees the Premier League leaders travel to Fratton Park with the aim of progressing into the fourth round of the competition as they bid to end their six-year wait for domestic silverware.
Arsenal won the FA Cup just months into Mikel Arteta’s tenure as manager by beating Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in a Wembley final that was played in front of no supporters due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they’ve not won a trophy since then after thrice finishing runners-up in the Premier League while also falling short in the semi-final of last season’s Carabao Cup and Champions League.
Arteta’s team have been getting stronger year on year and currently find themselves in pole position to win the Premier League for the first time in more than 20 years while they also have a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea around the corner in just a few days time.
Arsenal have ambitions of extending their record-leading tally of 14 FA Cup’s but may look to shuffle the pack in terms of team selection after a hotly contested 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Thursday which saw the Gunners fail to capitalise on a golden opportunity to extend their gap at the top of the Premier League table. Ahead of kick-off, London World looks at Arsenal’s predicted line-up to face Portsmouth as wholescale changes are anticipated.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Portsmouth: goalkeeper and defence
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga: Former Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa has stepped up to play in a number of the team’s Carabao Cup matches since arriving from Stamford Bridge. He’s likely to be afforded similar opportunities in this tournament as well, with David Raya dropping down to the bench.
RB: Ben White: The 28-year-old has had nowhere near the number of minutes he’s wanted this season despite two seasons ago being one of the best performing players in his position throughout the entire league.
CB: Jurrien Timber: In an ideal world, Arsenal would probably rotate even more in defence, but injuries to Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori and potentially Piero Hincapie mean Timber may move over from right-back to play in central defence as Gabriel gets rested.
CB: William Saliba: French international Saliba is expected to start in central defence against Pompey where he’ll hope to guide the team to a clean sheet.
LB: Myles Lewis-Skelly: The promising England international is likely to replace Hincapie in the backline in the third defensive change.
Arsenal predicted line-up vs Portsmouth: midfield and attack
CM: Christian Norgaard: Former Brentford captain Norgaard could be given a chance to start as part of a series of changes by Mikel Arteta. The Danish international has been a useful utility player since arriving but will hope to prove he’s good enough to start more matches.
CM:Mikel Merino: The Spanish international, who is sometimes used as a forward, is likely to come into the midfield to replace captain Martin Odegaard.
CM: Ethan Nwaneri: Arsenal wonderkid Nwaneri has had a frustrating season in terms of minutes after emerging as a real breakout star last term. He’s been linked with a loan move to Bournemouth but could potentially still have a role to play in the remaining months of the campaign.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli: Brazil winger Martinelli is expected to come into the team to replace Leandro Trossard as part of a shakeup in attack.
ST: Gabriel Jesus: Former Man City gem Jesus could be given a rare opportunity to lead the line after returning from an ACL injury. The striker, who was signed for £45m in 2022, is in need of first team minutes to show what he’s capable of and could come in to replace out-of-form big summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
RW: Noni Madueke: England international Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka in the line-up as Arsenal give one of their most important players some much needed rest in the build-up to some massive matches in January.
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