Portsmouth vs Arsenal LIVE
Arsenal started their latest bid to add to their record 14 FA Cup trophies with a win against Championship strugglers Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
The third-round tie was the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days for the Gunners, who avoided another big upset after Crystal Palace were stunned by Macclesfield yesterday. Mikel Arteta’s side are six points clear at the top of the Premier League and the Arsenal boss made 10 changes ahead of the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea next week.
Portsmouth gave Arsenal an early scare but Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as the Gunners cruised into the fourth round. The FA Cup has a history of giant killings but Arsenal avoided a shock in what was a hostile atmosphere at Fratton Park. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, including expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Portsmouth vs Arsenal latest
- GOAL! Portsmouth take shock early lead
- GOAL! Norgaard equalises for Arsenal
- GOAL! Martinelli heads Arsenal in front
- GOAL! Martinelli adds third goal
- GOAL! Martinelli completes his hat-trick
Arsenal player ratings vs Portsmouth
16:48 , Giuseppe MuroMerino sensational as hat-trick hero Martinelli steals show.
Matt Verri’s Arsenal player ratings here.
Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard speaking to TNT Sports: "In the beginning they were than us and could have gone up twice but then when got the momentum. In the second half we could have made more than four goals.
"The start wasn't good enough. I think we were as prepared as we could have been. In this weather and conditions it is never easy in the cup games and credit to Portsmouth."
On how set pieces helped Arsenal win the game: "It's important in our games but it's important in any team. Of course we emphasise it a lot but it's a really important part of our game and it's an important weapon of ours. We will keep developing an using it when we need it."
On the win today: "I think it shows that we are heading in the right direction as a team."
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta speaking to TNT Sports: "We knew that they were going to give us a game and that is the beauty of this competition, that the margin becomes really close especially when you give them momentum and an a goal.
"We had to find ways to be dominant and adapt to margins.
"Second half was much better. We did react and we did what we have to do. We are positive apart from the result because we made many changes."
Full-time: Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:53 , Giuseppe MuroAfter an early scare, Arsenal cruise into the fourth round of the FA Cup after Martinelli’s hat-trick.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:50 , Giuseppe Muro90 mins: Three minutes of stoppage time.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:48 , Giuseppe Muro88 mins: Madueke goes down in the area but no penalty. Arsenal have been made to work hard today but they’re seeing this out comfortably now.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:44 , Giuseppe Muro85 mins: Arsenal are all over Portsmouth now. Only a few last-ditch blocks stops the Gunners going 5-1 up.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:43 , Giuseppe Muro83 mins: Umeh pulls up with a hamstring injury and Portsmouth have already used all their subs so they will finish the game with 10 men.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:42 , Giuseppe Muro81 mins: Eze forces a save from Bursik. Then hat-trick hero Martinelli is replaced by Zubimendi.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:41 , Giuseppe Muro80 mins: Arsenal have taken the sting out of the game in the last five minutes or so. Into the final 10 minutes.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:39 , Giuseppe Muro78 mins: Save from Kepa! Portsmouth haven’t given up. Devlin stings the palms of Kepa, who turns the ball behind.
Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
15:38 , Giuseppe Muro74 mins: Another Arsenal change as 16-year-old Salmon comes on for Gabriel. He becomes the youngest player to represent Arsenal in the FA Cup.
GOAL! Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal | Gabriel Martinelli 72’
15:31 , Giuseppe MuroMartinelli does get his hat-trick! And his third goal comes from another corner. Martinelli rises highest to glance a header home. Arsenal are cruising into the fourth round.
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:31 , Giuseppe Muro70 mins: Chance for Arsenal: Class from Havertz, who drops deep to receive the ball before realising Madueke. He drives into the area but his shot is blocked behind. Another Arsenal corner…
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:28 , Giuseppe Muro67 mins: Triple change for Arsenal. Havertz, Odegaard and Timber on for Jesus, Nwaneri and White. Great to see Havertz back in an Arsenal shirt.
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:26 , Giuseppe Muro62mins: Portsmouth fans still believe but Arsenal look a lot more comfortable now.
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:20 , Giuseppe Muro60 mins: A big shock here… as Arsenal win a corner that doesn’t lead to a goal! Martinelli meets it at the front post but gets his header all wrong.
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:19 , Giuseppe Muro56 mins: Good play from Arsenal leads to Madueke jinking into the box before getting crowded out.
Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal
15:17 , Giuseppe Muro54 mins: Martinelli might have been celebrating a hat-trick by now had he not wasted his golden chance in the first half. Arsenal look like they could score from every attack now.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
15:15 , Giuseppe MuroTough scenes in the press box. One Portsmouth fan so furious at “cheating” from the Arsenal players that he has flown up the stairs to tell the club analysts themselves, holding them personally responsible. Steward eventually on the scene to have a word.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
15:14 , Giuseppe MuroSome pass that from Jesus to put it on a plate for Martinelli. If this is an audition to take Gyokeres’ place in the Premier League start, that will help.
GOAL! Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal | Gabriel Martinelli 51’
15:10 , Giuseppe MuroA quickly-taken free-kick catches Portsmouth cold, Jesus crosses brilliantly for Martinelli to finish from close range. What a ball that was from Jesus. That should be that.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
15:10 , Giuseppe Muro50 mins: Chance for Portsmouth! Good play from Segecic on the left as he runs at White and wins a corner.... which goes all the way to the back post, Chaplin fires goal wards and White has to make a brilliant block. Arsenal had a chance to put Portsmouth to bed but this game is still alive.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
15:08 , Giuseppe Muro48 mins: Arteta will want to see more from some of these Arsenal players. The Gunners have some tough games this month and a lot of them are going to need to play a role.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
15:05 , Giuseppe Muro46 mins: Back underway at Fratton Park...
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:52 , Giuseppe MuroIt should be 4-1 to Arsenal but Portsmouth are still in this.
Half-time: Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:48 , Giuseppe MuroArsenal lead at the break after that early shock. But they should have put this game to bed. Still work to do in the second half.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
14:44 , Giuseppe MuroAwful penalty from Madueke. Between that and the Martinelli miss a couple of minutes earlier, Arsenal have wasted their chances to take real control.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:44 , Giuseppe Muro43 mins: Madueke misses! It’s an awful penalty as he skews the ball wide with his left foot. It stays 2-1.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:43 , Giuseppe Muro42 mins: Penalty to Arsenal! Madueke is brought down... and he will be taking it himself.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:42 , Giuseppe Muro41 mins: What a miss! How has Martinelli not scored there?! A flowing Arsenal moves ends with White sending a brilliant ball from the right to the back post… Martinelli looks set to tap into an empty net but can’t get a good contact with his left foot and hits the post.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:41 , Giuseppe Muro39 mins: Portsmouth are forced into an early change as Blair is replaced by Umeh.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
14:40 , Giuseppe MuroArsenal still coming off second best in the challenges - Portsmouth have won 65 per cent of the duels so far. That set-piece dominance has been the difference.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:39 , Giuseppe Muro37 mins: Fair play to Portsmouth, they’re giving it a real go this afternoon. Madueke comes forward but Poole throws his body in the way of the shot to block.
Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
14:32 , Giuseppe Muro30 mins: Big chance for Arsenal! Marino plays a brilliant through ball to release Martinelli, who is bearing down on goal and only has the goalkeeper to beat… but he slips as he shoots and his effort goes wide.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
14:30 , Giuseppe MuroMartinelli has been booed most of the match so far - maybe a few Liverpool fans in - but that’s a nice way to silence the home fans. Portsmouth can’t live with Arsenal from set pieces.
GOAL! Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal | Gabriel Martinelli 25’
14:26 , Giuseppe MuroAnother corner, another goal! This time Martinelli heads home at the near post and Arsenal lead after that early shock.
‘Set-piece again ole, ole’ is the chant from the away end.
Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal
14:25 , Giuseppe Muro23 mins: Madueke drives into the Portsmouth area but Swanson makes a brilliantly-timed tackle to stop him in his tracks. But he concedes another corner…
Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal
14:23 , Giuseppe Muro18 mins: Portsmouth are not allowing Arsenal time and space. The Gunners still haven’t settled despite that equaliser. Nwaneri passes straight out for a throw in. The home fans are loving this so far.
Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal
14:18 , Giuseppe Muro15 mins: Big chance for Portsmouth! Blair’s shot is heading for the bottom corner until Kepa gets down low to turn the ball away from goal... the rebound almost falls for Bishop but Arsenal survive again. Portsmouth are having a real go on a wet and wild day on the south coast.
Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal
14:17 , Giuseppe Muro11 mins: Chaplin sends a free kick into the box, Bishop loops a header towards goal but Keep makes a comfortable save.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
14:14 , Giuseppe MuroThe stand at Fratton Park was literally bouncing after that first goal went in. It was a dreadful start from Arsenal who looked half asleep.
But first corner, first Arsenal goal. Not exactly a thing of beauty but Norgaard won’t care, bundling it in. Dare say that won’t be the last goal of the afternoon.
GOAL! Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal | Christian Norgaard 8'
14:09 , Giuseppe MuroImmediate response! Arsenal are back on level terms as Christian Norgaard turns home from close range from a corner. Just like that, Arsenal are back on level terms.
Portsmouth 1-0 Arsenal
14:08 , Giuseppe Muro5 mins: Portsmouth are in dreamland and Fratton Park is rocking. How will Arsenal respond?
GOAL! Portsmouth 1-0 Arsenal | Colby Bishop 3'
14:05 , Giuseppe MuroArsenal are behind inside three minutes as Colby Bishop gives Portsmouth a shock lead!
Do we have a big FA Cup upset on our hands?
Bishop tucks home after Kepa is unable to hold Chaplin's shot. What a start for Portsmouth!
Portsmouth 0-0 Arsenal
14:02 , Giuseppe Muro2 mins: Portsmouth have started on the front foot here. Gabriel shanks a clearance out for a throw in and Arsenal are being pressured whenever they have the ball.
Kick-off!
14:00 , Giuseppe Muro1 min: Underway at Fratton Park!
Here come the two teams onto the pitch!
'The Old Girl'
13:51 , Giuseppe MuroThere is going to be crackling atmosphere inside Fratton Park, which is affectionately known by fans as 'The Old Girl’.
It is one of the most iconic grounds in English football with its mock Tudor facade.
The 127-year-old venue was used during the 1948 Olympics and there will be a sell-out crowd of almost 21,000 today.
No VAR for Portsmouth vs Arsenal
13:49 , Giuseppe MuroVAR is not in operation at this stage of the FA Cup.
Here’s today’s match officials...
Referee: Tony Harrington
Assistant Referee 1: Steven Meredith
Assistant Referee 2: Sian Massey-Ellis
Fourth Official: Leigh Doughty
Arteta was also asked what he expects from Arsenal’s 10 changes today.
"The same from each player at the end when they have the opportunity to play, to excel those expectations,” he said.
“The levels and the standards are really, really high and that's what we need from every player."
Arteta on Havertz return
13:40 , Giuseppe MuroMikel Arteta has been speaking to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off at Fratton Park and the Arsenal boss was asked about potentially giving Kai Havertz some minutes today.
"I hope so,” said Arteta “I hope that we find a way to put him in the right context."
There was good news for Arsenal this week when Bukayo Saka agreed a new long-term contract.
His deal had been up for renewal at the end of next season but Saka has finalised terms on a five-year extension, which safeguards his future until 2031.
Saka, a graduate of the club's fabled Hale End academy, has scored 77 times across 290 appearances since he made his debut for the Gunners in 2018.
Portsmouth are boosted by the fitness of striker and captain Colby Bishop.
He starts as the Championship side make four changes from their 5-0 defeat to Bristol City last time out.
Josef Bursik starts in goal after two howlers from Nicolas Schmid in that game.
Matt Verri at Fratton Park
13:15 , Giuseppe MuroWell this should be fun. Eze and Nwaneri start in a very attacking midfield, which will delight fans. Injuries have left Arsenal thin at centre-back so Norgaard has to slot in there and Gabriel does not get the afternoon off.
So Kai Havertz in back in the Arsenal squad as Mikel Arteta makes 10 changes at Fratton Park.
Gabriel Jesus starts in attack and Gabriel is the only player who remains in the team from Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool.
Mikel Merino captains the side, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka on the bench.
Team news: Havertz back on bench for Arsenal
13:01 , Giuseppe MuroPortsmouth: Bursik, Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Swanson, Chaplin, Dozzell, Le Roux, Blair, Segecic, Bishop, Chaplin
Subs: Killip, Williams, Bowat, Oglivie, Pack, Farrell, Umeh, Swift, Kirk
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, White, Norgaard, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus
Subs: Raya, Timber, Salmon, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Gyokeres
Team news coming up from Fratton Park shortly…
Up for the cup ✊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 11, 2026
📍 Fratton Park pic.twitter.com/VUBL5qXuWG
Mousinho: 'Massive opportunity' for Portsmouth
12:43 , Giuseppe MuroPortsmouth manager John Mousinho has described today as a “massive opportunity” for his side.
Mousinho said ahead of the game: “The fact that we've drawn Arsenal at home means it's a massive opportunity for us to go and enjoy the day and put on a decent enough performance and enjoy the FA Cup.
"There are some very good sides in the Championship, but it just so happens that this weekend we're playing one of the best sides in the world.
“It's an exciting proposition, a bit of a daunting one as well, but we just have to prepare as we normally would."
Since winning the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge in 2020, Arsenal have gone out of the competition in either the third round (3 times) or fourth round (twice) in the last five season.
The Gunners have been eliminated in the third round in each of the last two seasons, albeit against Premier League opposition in Liverpool and Manchester United.
But Portsmouth are struggling in the Championship so it would be a major shock if Arsenal suffered a third third-round exit in three years.
Arteta: Arsenal judged by trophies
12:28 , Giuseppe MuroMikel Arteta has said the "purpose" of Arsenal is to win silverware - and admitted his season will be judged by how many trophies they win.
Arteta's sole silverware of his tenure arrived during the Covid-interrupted 2020 season, when Arsenal saw off Portsmouth in the fifth round before beating Chelsea at an empty Wembley.
"We want that one for sure (the FA Cup) and all the big ones," said Arteta. "And that's what we are chasing and that's the purpose of this team.
"At the end, we get judged for what we do today. Last week is not important. 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 clubs and many other things that you have to do in a football club, especially in the situation we are in.
"I don't expect that. I'm really happy where I am with the people that I work with and hopefully at least they know that we will give our very best to try to win as much as possible."
Portsmouth vs Arsenal match odds
12:19 , Giuseppe MuroPortsmouth to go through: 8/1
Arsenal to go through: 1/20
Odds via Betfair (subject to change)
Head to head history and results
12:11 , Giuseppe MuroThis will be the first meeting between these sides since March 2020, when they met at Fratton Park in the FA Cup fifth round.
Arsenal came away with a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Eddie Nketiah and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Pompey have not bested the Gunners since 1958, losing 14 times and drawing eight since.
Portsmouth wins: 14
Arsenal wins: 33
Draws: 24
Prediction
12:03 , Giuseppe MuroThis should, in theory, be a straightforward outing for Arsenal.
The Gunners may not have been at their absolute best in recent weeks, but there can be very few excuses if they do not breeze through this encounter against an injury-hit Portsmouth.
Portsmouth are in real danger of relegation from the Championship and Arsenal should comfortably progress to the fourth round.
Arsenal to win, 5-0
Arsenal team news
11:54 , Giuseppe MuroMikel Arteta is set to ring the changes at Fratton Park.
Piero Hincapie is a doubt after coming off in Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, while Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera remain sidelined.
Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start.
Today is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days for the Gunners, and Arteta is expected to rotate his squad ahead of the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea next week.
There could be an opportunity for 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.
Portsmouth team news
11:46 , Giuseppe MuroPortsmouth have been hit by a host of injury problems and could be missing as many as 10 players.
Mark Kosznovszky has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury and he joins Florian Bianchini, Josh Knight, Callum Lang, Hayden Matthews, Josh Murphy, Connor Ogilvie and Thomas Waddingham on the sidelines.
Colby Bishop is another fitness doubt but Marlon Pack could return from a hamstring injury.
How to watch
11:38 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 1.30pm ahead of a 2pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Good morning!
11:36 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Portsmouth vs Arsenal!
Arsenal are away at Fratton Park as they bid to book a spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
There have already been some big third-round giant killings this weekend and the Gunners will be out to avoid another shock against Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
We’ll have all the latest updates and build-up right here, ahead of the kick-off at 2pm at Fratton Park.
