Despite making nine changes from the strong side which lost to Olympiacos, Mikel Arteta was proved right in his team selection for Portsmouth.
Reiss Nelson was making his first start since January 6 in the FA Cup third round win over Leeds United - a game in which he scored - and took control at Fratton Park by assisting both Arsenal goals.
The side included six players aged 20 or younger with Eddie Nketiah also impressing by getting on the scoresheet. He now has three goals in four starts since returning to Arsenal from Leeds.
"I know it’s a difficult place to come and their record here at home is really good," Arteta told BT Sport.
"I have faith in those kids, I really enjoy working with them they always respond and I had no doubt they would do that, I knew they were going to have difficult moments in the game, they have to learn from those moments.
"They have to manage the moments better than they did in the first half in some moments, but again they have the talent, they have the desire and look how hard they work as well."
Addressing Nelson specifically - who he coached while doing his badges as a player at Arsenal - Arteta made it clear how happy he is to have the 20-year-old back in contention.
"We have pace in a few places, Reiss is a special talent, he can eliminate players 1v1," he added.
"Every time he gets in those situations in the final third he is a threat. He’s been out for two months, we’ve got him back now and that’s what he’s capable of doing."
Portsmouth did in fact start the brighter side at Fratton Park. With Sokratis at right-back, Marcus Harness found real joy attacking him whereas loose passes gave them easy opportunities to drive forward.
Luckily for the Gunners, Sokratis and Nketiah's goals came at the perfect time (minutes before and after the break).
With the game still not won at half time and the fact that Portsmouth had lost just once since the turn of the year, Arteta ensured his side didn't think the game was over.
"[I] Just [said to] understand what they were trying to do every time we had the ball and for the players to try to interpret the action better," the head coach said.
"Where the spaces were and how we could attack better and safer without putting ourselves at risk."
