Get ready for a thrilling FA Cup clash that promises drama, history, and a David vs. Goliath storyline! Arsenal’s quest for a record-extending 15th FA Cup title kicks off at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park on Sunday (2pm UK), marking the fourth front in their battle for silverware this season. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just any away game—it’s the first of four consecutive matches on the road, each in a different competition, and it’s against a Championship side we haven’t faced at their home ground in six years.
Back in 2020, we marched into the quarter-finals en route to lifting the trophy during Mikel Arteta’s early reign. Fast forward to now, and Arteta will be hoping history repeats itself. The omens look good—Arsenal haven’t lost to Portsmouth in 22 meetings, a streak stretching back an astonishing 67 years to 1958. But this is the FA Cup, where upsets are part of the magic. And this is the part most people miss: Portsmouth, despite their struggles in the Championship, have a knack for rising to the occasion at Fratton Park, having beaten three of the top five teams in the league on home soil this season.
Portsmouth, in their second season back in the second tier, are fighting to avoid relegation, sitting precariously in 21st place—just one point above the drop zone. Manager John Mousinho, who led them to the League One title in his first full season, has seen his side slip down the table after a promising start. Their recent form is patchy, with just one win in their last four games, though that victory came in their last home fixture—a dramatic 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic sealed by a 98th-minute goal. However, a 5-0 thrashing at Bristol City and a postponed match against Ipswich Town have left them with questions to answer.
Arteta is clear about his ambitions: 'We want more trophies. That’s what we’re chasing. That’s the purpose of this team.' But he’s also pragmatic, emphasizing that the team will be judged on their current performance, not past glories. Mousinho, meanwhile, sees this as a massive opportunity: 'We’re playing one of the best sides in the world… It’s an exciting proposition, a bit daunting, but we’ll prepare as we normally would.'
And this is where it gets controversial: Can Portsmouth’s spirited home form and Arsenal’s recent third-round exits in the FA Cup set the stage for an upset? Arsenal have been knocked out in the third round in the last two seasons, though against Premier League opposition. Portsmouth, on the other hand, have lost their last three third-round ties and their last five FA Cup matches against top-flight teams. Is this the year they break the curse, or will Arsenal’s dominance continue?
Team news adds another layer of intrigue. Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie is a doubt after coming off against Liverpool, while Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera remain sidelined. Kai Havertz could feature as he recovers from a knee injury. Portsmouth’s injury list is even longer, with Mark Kosznovszky out long-term, and Hayden Matthews, Josh Knight, Callum Lang, and Josh Murphy all missing. Captain Marlon Pack and striker Colby Bishop are racing to be fit, adding to Mousinho’s selection headaches.
Tactically, Portsmouth’s 4-2-3-1 system relies heavily on their wingers, though they occasionally switch to a back five for stability. They’re direct, averaging the most long passes in the Championship (69 per 90 minutes), but their goal-scoring has been lackluster, with just 21 league goals—the second-lowest tally. Defensively, they’ve struggled with crosses, conceding 14 set-piece goals, including eight headers. Backed by their passionate fans, can they disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm and pull off a shock result?
The stats tell a story: Portsmouth haven’t beaten Arsenal in 22 attempts, their longest winless run against any team since Chelsea (31 games between 1962 and 2012). Arsenal have progressed in all four FA Cup ties against Pompey, a 100% record matched only against Brighton and Leyton Orient. But football isn’t played on paper—it’s played on the pitch. Will Portsmouth’s home advantage and fighting spirit be enough to defy the odds?
Referee Tony Harrington will oversee the match, his second Arsenal game this season. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, we’re in for 30 minutes of extra time, and potentially penalties—with no VAR in operation at this stage.
As we head into this clash, one question lingers: Will Arsenal’s trophy hunt continue, or will Portsmouth write a new chapter in their FA Cup history? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—are you backing the favorites or fancying an upset? Tune into Arsenal.com or the official app for live commentary with Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, and check out the broadcaster in your region for live coverage. This is more than a game—it’s a battle for pride, history, and the magic of the cup.
