Arsenal head to the south coast on Sunday full of confidence as they begin their FA Cup campaign away to Portsmouth in the third round at Fratton Park.
As the most successful club in the history of the competition, the Gunners will expect to handle the occasion, even with one eye on a demanding schedule ahead.
Portsmouth v Arsenal will kick off at 2pm GMT on Sunday 11 January 2026. The match will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+. Bet365 will also be streaming through their website.
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Mikel Arteta’s side were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool on Thursday night in a match that lacked fluency in the final third.
Arsenal remain top of both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League standings, underlining the consistency that has defined their season so far.
Attention will also soon turn to Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi final first leg against Chelsea, another major test in a campaign where Arsenal continue to challenge across multiple competitions.
That depth of quality in the Gunner’s squad is expected to be on display at Fratton Park, with several fringe players likely to be handed opportunities. The likes of Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke could all feature as Arteta balances selection with ambition.
Arsenal’s cup outings this season have generally been controlled and efficient rather than explosive. Their EFL Cup victories included 2-0 wins away at Port Vale and at home to Brighton, while they edged past Crystal Palace on penalties after a late drama filled 1-1 draw in the quarter finals.
Portsmouth approach the tie from a very different position. The Championship side are focused primarily on securing their second tier status and face the visit of Arsenal with a lengthy injury list. The 2008 FA Cup winners suffered a heavy 5-0 league defeat at Bristol City last time out, a result that prompted serious reflection within the squad.
Pompey boss John Mousinho will be looking to keep the score respectful. A ten day break since the Bristol City loss has provided time to regroup and prepare for the challenge, with defensive organisation likely to be a priority.
Fratton Park is rarely an easy place for visiting sides, and Portsmouth will hope home support can help them stay competitive. Limiting damage and restoring pride will be key aims against elite opposition, particularly given their injury concerns.
Arsenal may not have created many chances against Liverpool, but the quality within their wider squad should still be enough to carry them through.
A professional performance and controlled victory without any scares would suit Arteta as his side look to progress without draining energy ahead of a demanding run of Premier League fixtures.
