Arsenal are hoping to avoid a second cup outing within a week when they face Portsmouth on Monday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s team suffered an atrocious defeat against the Olympiakos in the Europa League where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a goalkeeper in the last seconds of extra time.
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Mikel Arteta must make changes to Arsenal FA Cup shock
With the Gunners likely to miss football in the Champions League, the FA Cup is becoming increasingly important.
Winning the competition for the 14th time could turn an average season into a good season, but Arteta’s first team must beat hopes for promotion to Ligue 1 Portsmouth, with live commentary of the match on talkSPORT at 7.45 p.m.
The Arsenal boss is likely to turn his side after the grueling 120-minute test against Olympiakos.
Perry Groves lists NINE players to be sold by Arsenal this summer after the exit from the Europa League
There are many players who need to train, but this is the perfect opportunity for Arteta to give some of its young players a chance, especially in attack.
The Gunners no longer have injury concerns before the game at Fratton Park and this is how they should line up.
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How Arsenal should line up against Portsmouth
Alexandre Lacazette was again below average in the Europa League and it is time that Eddie Nketiah extended the team.
The striker scored on his last departure for the club and has shown promising signs since returning from Leeds on loan.
Gabriel Martinelli has been a revelation for the Gunners since his transfer to the summer and the 18-year-old deserves to start with his comrades Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson.
Nelson needs more minutes to get back into shape after a hamstring injury in January.
Top scorer Aubameyang needs rest while Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe have both played many games recently.
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Gabriel Martinelli has scored 10 goals for Arsenal this season
Arteta did not favor Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of his midfield despite being one of Arsenal’s best players at the start of the season as they struggled.
Back row left, Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac are still injured, so the only real choice is to play Bukayo Saka, who has played brilliantly in recent games.
Pablo Mari, Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are also likely to play and should have a chance on the team.
Arsenal have suffered from injury defense issues this season and it would be wise to rest some of its most consistent players so that they are not overworked.
Portsmouth is five points behind first place in Ligue 1 and had a solid FA Cup race this season, beating Harrogate Town, Altrincham, Fleetwood and Barnsley.
The south coast club, which won the FA Cup in 2008, will be looking to add Arsenal’s big scalp to try to reach the sixth round.
They assess the physical condition of Ronan Curtis and Tommy Naylor ahed from Monday’s game.
Here’s how they should line up for the clash at Fratton Park.
Buildlineup.com
How Portsmouth should line up against Arsenal
