Eze & Jesus start | Predicted Arsenal XI vs Portsmouth as Arteta makes nine changes

Arsenal travel to Fratton Park for today’s FA Cup third-round tie against Portsmouth.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that he will be without the services of left-back Riccardo Calafiori.

Alongside him, Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman are poised to miss out (ankle injuries), while Piero Hincapie is doubtful too.

Arteta is still expected to field a strong starting line-up as the Gunners aim to reach the fourth round for the first time in three seasons.

They have a phenomenal unbeaten record against Pompey since 1958, and will be eyeing a sixth-straight win over them this afternoon.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Kepa Arrizabalaga is poised to replace David Raya in goal. The Spaniard has exclusively featured in the Carabao Cup this campaign and made a big save during the penalty shoot-out win over Crystal Palace in the quarter-final.

The former Chelsea man should be fancied to start against Pompey. He is also likely to continue between the sticks when the Gunners face the Blues in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly are expected to feature in the right and left-back positions. Jurrien Timber could be rested due to his heavy workload over the last few months. Hincapie sustained a possible muscle injury against Liverpool earlier this week and may not feature at all.

With Mosquera, Calafiori and Hincapie on the sidelines, the manager could continue with his first-choice central defensive pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

There could be a complete overhaul of the midfield, with Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard being given breathers. Christian Norgaard has been the go-to choice for Arteta in the defensive midfield role when Zubimendi has been rested or suspended.

Mikel Merino should slot as the central midfielder alongside him, while Eze could operate as the most advanced midfielder in the number 10 role. Ethan Nwaneri, who has been linked with a loan move to Bournemouth this month, could be limited to a cameo appearance due to the vast competition.

Further forward, Arteta could go with Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli as his front three, replacing Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Leandro Trossard.

The trio started together during the League Cup quarter-final win over Palace, where Jesus and Madueke had some big chances to find the back of the Eagles’ net at the Emirates Stadium.

Martinelli was also phenomenal on the left wing as he dominated the first half against Jaydee Canvot. The Brazilian has a point to prove after losing his starting spot to Trossard in the league.

How Arsenal could line up vs Portsmouth today

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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