Second-String Side for FA Cup Battle
Arsenal begin their FA Cup campaign against Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon in a match brimming with nostalgia for the Premier League of the 2000s.
The two clubs were once regular top-flight opponents, but Portsmouth’s subsequent fall down the divisions means the upcoming duel is only the second in the last 15 years. They met in 2020 in the fifth round of the FA Cup, with Sokratis and Eddie Nketiah on the scoresheet that day in a 2-0 win for the Gunners en route to the trophy.
Arsenal still harbor quadruple ambitions and will need to work around a potentially tricky tie at Fratton Park to keep the dream alive. Given the strength and depth of Mikel Arteta’s squad, defeating an injured Championship opponent should prove relatively simple.
Arsenal were in action on Thursday night as they held a goalless draw with Liverpool and will face another ‘Big Six’ opponent on Wednesday when they take on Chelsea in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Arteta is expected to take the opportunity to make significant changes on the south coast this weekend.
Here’s how Arsenal could line up against Portsmouth.
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GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga—Arsenal’s back-up goalkeeper has made just three appearances since his summer move, all in the Carabao Cup. The Spaniard has a history of reaching domestic finals with Chelsea, although he has never won the FA Cup.
RB: Ben White—Jurriën Timber will be given a well-deserved rest against Portsmouth as White returns to the team at right-back. Having two such formidable options in the role is a blessing for Arteta.
CB: William Saliba— Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and now Piero Hincapié limit Arteta’s options in central defense, with Gabriel’s minutes also needing to be managed. Saliba could be forced to start again at Fratton Park.
CB: Salmon Marli—These injuries open the door for 16-year-old sensation Marli Salmon, who made her brief Champions League debut earlier this season. Improving alongside Saliba, to whom the youngster has been compared, is an enviable opportunity.
CEO: Myles Lewis-Skelly— Lewis-Skelly was not particularly inspiring when he replaced the injured Hincapié against Liverpool, but will expect a much easier journey against Portsmouth.
DM: Christian Nørgaard—A wise summer addition rather than a blockbuster, Nørgaard was signed for exactly this kind of game. He could potentially operate in central defense, as he did against Club Brugge last month, but he is more likely to patrol midfield.
DM: Mikel Mérinos—The return of the absent strikers has allowed Merino to return to the engine room, although he remains a handy emergency striker for Arteta. The Spaniard’s presence on Sunday should provide a welcome rest for MartÃn Zubimendi and Declan Rice.
AD: Noni Madueke—Madueke impressed at Bournemouth last weekend and has generally dazzled when given the opportunity to start this season. He will be aiming for Arsenal’s first national goal against Pompey.
Morning: Eberechi Eze—Martin Ødegaard’s exceptional form has limited Eze’s involvement in recent weeks, with just 12 minutes played in the last four games. He deserves an outing against Portsmouth and will prove an almighty handful for the Championship side.
AG: Gabriel Martinelli—After significant backlash following an incident with Conor Bradley on Thursday, Martinelli will aim to make headlines for the right reasons at Portsmouth. He has failed to score in nine previous FA Cup appearances.
ST: Gabriel Jesus—A positive performance against Portsmouth could well see Jesus promoted to Arteta’s best XI following Viktor Gyökeres’ poor performances in recent matches. The Brazilian isn’t extremely clinical, but he offers so much in the final third.