Mikel Arteta is poised to make sweeping changes to his Arsenal side for their FA Cup third-round clash against Portsmouth this weekend. The Premier League leaders travel to Fratton Park with nine alterations expected from the team that drew with Liverpool, offering a crucial opportunity for several squad players.
Arteta's Rotation Strategy for Cup Glory
With a vital Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea looming and the Premier League title race in full swing, Arteta's hand is forced. Arsenal, the competition's most successful club with 14 FA Cup wins, aim to end a six-year trophy drought but must balance ambitions across multiple fronts.
The Gunners' last FA Cup triumph came in Arteta's first season, a behind-closed-doors victory over Chelsea in 2020. Since then, they have come painfully close on several occasions, including three second-place finishes in the league. This fixture against Championship strugglers Portsmouth presents a chance to progress while resting key figures.
Predicted Defence and Goalkeeper Shake-Up
In goal, Kepa Arrizabalaga is likely to continue his cup duties, replacing David Raya. The defence sees significant rotation, with Ben White coming in at right-back. Injuries to Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, and possibly Piero Hincapie mean Jurrien Timber could shift to centre-back alongside William Saliba, with Gabriel Magalhães rested.
At left-back, young England prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly is tipped for a start, completing a completely changed backline from the Liverpool stalemate.
Midfield and Attack: Jesus Leads the Line
The midfield trio is forecast to feature Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino, and teenage wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri. This provides a platform for Nwaneri to showcase his talent amid a season of limited minutes and loan speculation.
The most notable change comes in attack, where Gabriel Jesus is predicted to be given a rare chance to lead the line. The £45 million striker, signed from Manchester City in 2022, needs minutes to prove his worth after returning from an ACL injury, replacing out-of-form Viktor Gyokeres.
He will be flanked by Gabriel Martinelli on the left and Noni Madueke on the right, with Bukayo Saka dropping to the bench for much-needed rest ahead of a packed January schedule.
Implications for Arsenal's Trophy Chase
This match is more than just a cup tie; it's a vital audition for squad players like Jesus and Nwaneri. Arteta will demand a professional performance to ensure safe passage to the fourth round without taxing his star names. For Portsmouth, it's a famous David vs. Goliath occasion, but Arsenal's strength in depth, even with nine changes, will be formidable.
All eyes will be on Fratton Park to see if Arteta's rotated side can maintain the club's proud FA Cup tradition and keep their quest for silverware on track.
