FA Cup Third Round Preview: Portsmouth vs. Arsenal

Portsmouth vs Arsenal FA Cup Third Round - Everything you need to know, including live stream information, kick-off time, lineups, crucial battles, and predictions as the Gunners try to advance comfortably.

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Portsmouth vs. Arsenal: Preview, Team News, Prediction & Lineups | January 11, 2026

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM GMT, Premier League leaders Arsenal face Championship side Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round at Fratton Park.

The match kicks off at 2:00 PM GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

In the UK

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Kick-off is at 2:00 PM GMT.

In the US

The game will be shown live on ESPN2/ESPN+.

Kick-off times for US viewers: 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT (2:00 PM GMT).

With just over two hours until kick-off at Fratton Park, the excitement is building for this classic FA Cup clash. The ground is filling up with passionate Pompey fans creating their famous noisy atmosphere, while Arsenal arrive as heavy favourites looking to avoid any cup shock.

In-depth match preview with latest team news, injuries, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, key players to watch, and score prediction for this crucial title-race clash.

Match Details:

When is Portsmouth vs. Arsenal?

Portsmouth vs. Arsenal is scheduled for an 2:00 PM UK kick-off on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

How to watch?

TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate with streaming via discovery+ app and website in the UK, on Sony Sports Network with streaming on SonyLIV in India, on ESPN2 with streaming on ESPN+, fuboTV (free trial available), DirecTV Stream, Sling Orange in the United States and Streaming on fuboTV in Canada will all be airing live coverage of the event.

Live Match

GOAL! Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal (Gabriel Martinelli, 72')

Dangerous indeed!

It's a hat-trick for Martinelli and a hat-trick of set piece goals for the Gunners.

It's Madueke again with the delivery and the Brazilian pops up at the near post to head home.

It's a carbon copy of his first goal and he celebrates a first senior hat-trick.

GOAL! Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal (Martinelli, 51')

A second goal for Gabriel Martinelli but it all comes from a quick free-kick.

Martinelli makes no mistake this time!

Portsmouth switch off as Lewis-Skelly takes a quick free kick.

It's a great pass to release Jesus, who follows up with a inch-perfect pass to the back post.

Martinelli is in the right place to extend Arsenal's lead.

GOAL! Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal (Martinelli, 25')

Arsenal's set piece strength comes to the fore again!

It's far too easy for the Gunners from a Portsmouth perspective.

Martinelli rises highest at the near post to flick Madueke's corner into the back of the net.

GOAL! Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal (Christian Norgaard, 8')

Arsenal get an instant response and of course, it is a set piece!

Eze's corner is flicked on at the near post and there's a scramble in the box.

Noorgard is there to disrupt as the ball crosses the line.

it's not clear who got the decisive touch but the goal is given as a Dozzell own goal.

Game on!

GOAL! Portsmouth 1-0 Arsenal (Bishop, 3')

Arsenal had been warned!

Portsmouth have started brilliantly. They win the ball high up the pitch.

Chaplin's shot is saved but Bishop is on hand to turn home the rebound.

What a noise at Fratton Park.

Portsmouth vs. Arsenal Team News

Less than two hours until kick-off at a sold-out Fratton Park, where the atmosphere is already electric for this classic cup tie.

Portsmouth Team News

John Mousinho's side are in the midst of a crippling injury crisis – described by commentators as reaching "epic proportions" – with up to 12 players unavailable in recent weeks. The Blues boss has confirmed he can still name a strong matchday squad of 20 senior professionals, but depth is severely tested ahead of this glamour tie.

Confirmed Absentees:

Mark Kosznovszky (ACL & MCL rupture – out for the season and part of next)
Hayden Matthews (ankle surgery – 8-10 weeks)
Josh Murphy (hamstring – mid-January return)
Callum Lang (various reports list him sidelined)
Josh Knight (long-term)
Connor Ogilvie
Florian Bianchini
Additional squad members contributing to the high absentee count

Fitness Boosts:

Captain Marlon Pack has overcome a hamstring issue and starts in midfield.
Top scorer Colby Bishop wins his fitness race and leads the line – a massive positive for Pompey's attacking threat.

Mousinho has emphasised the squad's excitement despite the setbacks: "The lads are buzzing for this one – it's what the FA Cup is all about."

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta is rotating significantly with a packed schedule (four away games in quick succession), but still names a strong XI featuring quality depth. The Gunners received mixed injury updates this week, with one major positive.

Confirmed Out:

Riccardo Calafiori (muscle injury)
Cristhian Mosquera (ankle)
Max Dowman (unspecified injury)

Doubts & Management:

Piero Hincapié (hamstring/muscle issue picked up vs Liverpool – major doubt after scans; not expected to feature)
Kai Havertz: Huge boost – the German has recovered ahead of schedule from a long-term knee injury and is available. Arteta confirmed he's in the squad but likely starts on the bench for managed minutes.

Rotation Notes:

Arteta rests key regulars (e.g., Saka, Ødegaard possibly) but keeps defensive solidity with Saliba starting. Fringe and rotated players like Kepa, Nørgaard, Eze, Madueke, Jesus, and Martinelli get rare starts. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly continues at left-back.