John Mousinho speaks to The News after Pompey's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal
Pompey were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at Fratton Park.
Mikel Arteta has praised Pompey for causing Arsenal difficulties despite falling to a 4-1 defeat at Fratton Park.
And the Gunners boss was delighted with his side’s character after going a goal down in the opening three minutes.
The Magic Man netted his first goal since August as he finished from close range when Kepa Arrizabalaga spilled Conor Chaplin’s strike.
But the Premier League leaders responded, with an Andre Dozzell own goal and a Gabriel Martinelli header turning the contest around before the break.
Arsenal continued to ramp up the pressure in the second half, with the winger going on to grab a hat-trick to round off the 4-1 triumph.
What impressed Mikel Arteta against Pompey
And Arteta was also impressed with the Blues’ lightning start and credited Mousinho’s men for making the contest difficult for the Premier League leaders.
He said: ‘When we make that many changes there is an element of cohesion that is not going to be as perfect as we want.
‘We started the game exactly how we didn't want to, giving them momentum and an early goal and hope, and then we had to fight it back, and credit to them because they made it difficult for us especially in the early stages of the game.
‘The more we started to do the simple thing right, and be a little more dominant, then the quality took over.
‘We need everybody to be at it. We have so many games coming up in different competitions, so we need to be at it. I think we are very privileged to be where we are, and the games that we have to play, which means that we are in every competition.’
Why Arsenal made 10 changes at Pompey
Pompey fell to a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.placeholder image
Pompey fell to a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday. | Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages
Arsenal made 10 changes to the side who played out a goalless draw against Liverpool on Thursday evening, with the likes of £67.5m summer signing Eberechi Eze and £52m arrival Noni Madueke among their starting XI at Fratton.
There had already been plenty of shocks in the third round of the FA Cup prior to Sunday’s game, with Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest suffering defeats to lower-league opposition.
And Arteta didn’t want to ruin the Gunners’ reputation in the competition as they look to lift the trophy fo the first time in six years.
He told TNT Sports: ‘Well, yes, but I mean, this is part of the history of this competition, and I have experienced it myself as well, being on both sides when you come to this game.
‘I think there is a lot to play [for]. One thing is being in the next round, but I think it’s your reputation as well, and the club’s reputation.
‘And that’s a big one, and I think you have to play with that mindset when you play in these kind of grounds.’
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