Portsmouth face a daunting FA Cup third-round test on Sunday 11th january as they welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Fratton Park, softfootball reported. Pompey are currently fighting to keep their Championship status, sitting just one point above the relegation zone after 24 league matches.
While John Mousinho’s side enjoyed a brief four-game unbeaten spell late in 2025, that momentum was halted by a heavy 5-0 defeat away to Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
The south coast club were then handed a short break after their clash with Ipswich Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch, allowing their injury-hit squad some much-needed recovery time. Home form offers a small source of hope, with Portsmouth losing just once in their last six outings at Fratton Park.
However, history is firmly against them, having failed to beat Arsenal in any competition since 1958 and losing their last five FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition.
Arsenal head to the South Coast full of confidence after losing just two points across their last six Premier League outings, a run that included the goalless draw with Liverpool that saw both sides forced to settle for a share of the spoils. That run has also been backed up by Arsenal’s attacking threat, which came to the fore in recent weeks with a commanding second-half display against Bournemouth, underlining their ability to raise the tempo and break down stubborn opposition when it matters most. Arteta’s men confirmed the trip on their X handle, posting:
Kicking off our cup journey on the South Coast 🏖️
Team News
Portsmouth remain without several key players, including Josh Murphy and Callum Lang, though Marlon Pack and Colby Bishop could return. Arsenal are expected to rotate, with Ben White, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus among those likely to start.
Possible Lineups
Portsmouth: Schmid; Devlin, Shaughnessy, Poole, Swanson; Dozzell, Pack; Segecic, Chaplin, Blair; Bishop
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga; White, Salmon, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Merino, Norgaard, Eze; Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus
Softfootball Prediction
Portsmouth 0-3 Arsenal. Even with rotation, Arsenal’s depth should prove too strong for a Portsmouth side struggling for goals.
