Pompey Talk: January transfer window update
Pompey welcome Arsenal to Fratton Park in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday (kick-off - 2pm)
But the former Blues skipper doesn’t think the noise generated by the Fratton faithful will be enough to stop the Premier League juggernaut as they as continue their pursuit of a historic quadruple this season - even if boss Mikel Arteta makes wholesale changes to his start-studded line-up.
The current leaders of England’s top flight retain an interest in all four trophies that were available to them at the start of the campaign. The Gunners hold a six-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table, the north London side also lead the way in the Champions League table, while next Wednesday sees them travel to Chelsea in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
Just two defeats in the 30 games Arsenal have featured in this season has the Emirates outfit on track for what could be a hugely memorable season in the club’s history.
Campbell knows both clubs very well, having served both with distinction during a glittering career that produced seven major trophy wins - including four in the FA Cup.
And while he recognises that no result is a given in the Cup, he believes, if Arsenal ‘turn up’, the gulf in quality that will be on display on Sunday will prove too big for the hosts to overcome - irrespective of the atmosphere generated by the Fratton faithful.
Pompey v Arsenal: Sol Campbell’s big-match verdict
Campbell said: ‘The fans and the atmosphere (at Fratton Park) is going to be amazing.
‘If Arsenal put their proper team out – or 70% of their proper team out – I’m not too sure if Portsmouth can get through that.
‘You never know. The FA Cup is a beautiful thing. There’s been upsets, and it will happen time and time again. That’s the beautiful thing about the FA Cup, and that’s why I love it – if you take your foot off the pedal in an FA Cup game, especially away from home, anything can happen. It’s all go.
‘It’s dear to my heart. But if Arsenal turn up and they do things properly, I’m not too sure (if Portsmouth can handle that). They will give it a good go, and they’ll know anything can happen. But the quality of Arsenal should get them through. You never know, it’s the FA Cup. It’ll be a great atmosphere, though.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Artetaplaceholder image
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta | AFP via Getty Images
Mike Arteta wants trophies at season’s end
Arsenal are expected to make a number of changes to the side that drew with Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday night, with Kai Havertz among those likely to feature having overcome an injury he picked up in the warm-up to their game against Brighton on December 27.
Tinkering with the team can prove dangerous, as Pompey have found out all too often following their return to the Championship.
But with Arteta having lifted just one piece of major silverware during his six years in north London, he won’t accept anything but full commitment from whatever side he names to take on the Blues.
The Spaniard said: ‘We want that one for sure. That's what we are chasing. That's the purpose of this team.
‘At the end, I think we have to get judged, and we get judged for what we do today. Last week is not important and we will get judged for what we are able to do at the end of the season. One thing is the trophies for our football club and the many other things that you have to do in a football club, especially in the situation we are in.
‘I'm really happy where I am with the people I work with and hopefully they know that we give our very best to try to win as much as possible.’
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