FA Cup
Mar 2, 2020 7.45pm
0
2
HT : 0 1
FT
  • Cameron McGeehan 40' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Matteo Guendouzi 35'
  • goal Sokratis 45'
  • goal Eddie Nketiah 51'

How Arsenal could line up against Portsmouth

How Arsenal could line up against Portsmouth

Arsenal must put their disappointing Europa League exit quickly behind them as they face an FA Cup last-16 trip to Portsmouth on Monday evening.

The Gunners were knocked out of Europe by Olympiacos in a dramatic last-32 tie on Thursday and are now realistically relying on the FA Cup to salvage their season.

After overcoming Leeds United and Bournemouth in rounds three and four, Arsenal travel to 2008 winners Portsmouth for a place in the quarter-finals.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Mikel Arteta may set out his side.


Out: Sead Kolasinac (shoulder), Calum Chambers (knee) Doubtful: Shkodran Mustafi (muscle), Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Cedric Soares (knee), Pablo Mari (fitness)

> Click here for Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Arteta may have originally been tempted to rotate his side for this game at Fratton Park, but the midweek Europa League disappointment means that he will likely name a much stronger side in a bid to remain on course for some sort of silverware.

That could mean in-form striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line, though Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nkeitah are other possible options up front.

Granit Xhaka played the full 120 minutes against Olympiacos and should be given a breather here, which could mean Lucas Torreira - a second-half sub on Thursday - coming into the side.

Pablo Mari has been building up his fitness with the Under-23s side and this seems like a good opportunity to hand the January signing his debut.

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