Arsenal Starting XI vs Portsmouth: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Arsenal XI vs Portsmouth: Predicted Lineup and Injury Latest for FA Cup Clash

There is a familiar rhythm to Arsenal’s relationship with the FA Cup. It is a competition weighted with history and memory, one that has often offered sanctuary or salvation, but it now sits slightly awkwardly alongside the club’s modern ambitions. As Arsenal prepare to visit Portsmouth in the third round, that tension is once again visible in the predicted lineup and the latest injury news shaping Mikel Arteta’s selection.

This tie, at Fratton Park, comes at the start of a demanding stretch in Arsenal’s calendar, with four away games across four competitions compressed into just nine days. Squad rotation is not simply a luxury; it is a necessity. According to reporting from the Evening Standard, Arteta is expected to ring the changes, balancing the need to protect key players with the obligation to take the FA Cup seriously enough to avoid embarrassment.

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Rotation strategy shaping Arsenal selection

The predicted lineup reflects a manager acutely aware of workload and momentum. Arsenal’s recent schedule has been relentless, and the FA Cup offers a rare chance to redistribute minutes without completely abandoning control.

Kepa is expected to continue as the cup goalkeeper, a role he has largely owned in domestic knockout competitions. In defence, rotation appears likely but not reckless. Ben White and William Saliba provide continuity and authority, while there is room for youth and experimentation alongside them. Myles Lewis-Skelly is tipped to start at left-back, a decision that underlines Arteta’s trust in academy players when circumstances allow.

There is also the possibility of a first-team debut for 16-year-old Marli Salmon, should Arteta decide to rest one of his senior centre-backs. It would be a bold call, but not an unprecedented one in this competition, where Arsenal’s past cup runs have often been coloured by the emergence of young talent.

Midfield options and attacking balance

In midfield, the predicted lineup hints at controlled rotation rather than wholesale change. Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are expected to provide structure and experience, allowing Arsenal to dominate territory without overextending themselves. Their presence would give the team a stable platform, particularly important away from home against opponents likely to lean heavily on atmosphere and physicality.

Further forward, creativity is likely to come from Eberechi Eze, who could be handed a rare start. His inclusion would add unpredictability between the lines, a useful tool against a compact Portsmouth side. Out wide, Noni Madueke is in contention, offering directness and pace, while Gabriel Martinelli’s expected involvement ensures Arsenal retain a cutting edge.

The centre-forward role remains a point of interest. Gabriel Jesus is tipped to lead the line, especially with Kai Havertz not believed to be ready to start. There is also the lingering question of whether Arteta persists with Viktor Gyokeres as he searches for rhythm and confidence, but the balance of probability suggests Jesus will shoulder the responsibility from the outset.

Injury latest influencing team news

The injury latest continues to shape Arsenal’s predicted lineup. Riccardo Calafiori remains unavailable, with Arteta confirming the fixture comes too soon in his recovery. Piero Hincapie is a significant doubt after being forced off with a suspected hamstring issue in the previous match, pending the results of further scans.

Havertz is expected to be included in the squad but not in the starting XI, a cautious approach reflecting Arsenal’s broader priorities in the weeks ahead. These absences, while not catastrophic, narrow Arteta’s options and explain the careful blend of youth and experience anticipated in the team news.

Ethan Nwaneri may also feature from the bench, a reminder of Arsenal’s long-standing habit of using the FA Cup as a stage for emerging talent. His minutes, if they come, would be closely watched.

Predicted Arsenal XI and match context

The predicted Arsenal XI, as outlined by the Evening Standard, lines up in a 4-3-3 formation: Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.

Injured: Calafiori, Mosquera, DowmanDoubts: Hincapie, HavertzKick-off: 2pm GMT, Sunday January 11, 2026Venue: Fratton Park

For Arsenal, this match is about control more than spectacle. The FA Cup still matters, even if it now exists in the shadow of league and European ambition. The predicted lineup and injury latest suggest a team strong enough to progress, but flexible enough to protect what lies ahead. That balance, delicate and deliberate, may ultimately define Arsenal’s approach to this competition once again.