Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Jesus will return to the Arsenal starting lineup when they take on Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Arsenal will aim to secure a spot in the FA Cup fourth round when they lock horns with Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the third round on Sunday afternoon. Mikel Arteta has a new issue to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Piero Hincapie is the latest absentee after sustaining a hamstring strain in the Premier League game against Liverpool earlier this week. Additionally, Max Dowman remains in the treatment room due to an ankle injury.
Riccardo Calafiori (muscular) and Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) are close to making a return, but this game might come too soon for them. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Arteta provided fitness updates on Calafiori and Havertz.
The Arsenal manager said, “If everything goes well, I think he [Havertz] is going to be in the squad again in the next few days. He trains well, he’s increased his load, he’s coping with that really well and he will be ready when we can have him. I don’t think so [Calafiori returning on Sunday]. I think that game is going to be too early for him.”
Meanwhile, Arteta discussed the importance of the FA Cup for his squad. The Arsenal boss said, “We want that one for sure. That’s what we are chasing. That’s the purpose of this team. At the end, I think we have to get judged, and we get judged for what we do today. Last week is not important and we will get judged for what we are able to do at the end of the season.”
“One thing is the trophies for our football club and the many other things that you have to do in a football club, especially in the situation we are in. I’m really happy where I am with the people I work with and hopefully they know that we give our very best to try to win as much as possible.”
Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace David Raya between the sticks, with Arsenal lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Portsmouth on Sunday. The backline will feature Ben White, Marli Salmon, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino will pair up in the double pivot, with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi getting some rest. Eberechi Eze will reprise the no. 10 role, with Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke being the two wide attackers. Finally, Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for the away side against Portsmouth on Sunday. So, Kai Havertz will be a backup option on the bench.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Kepa; White, Salmon, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Jesus
