Portsmouth vs Arsenal Lineups: Confirmed FA Cup Starting XI

When a Premier League giant rolls into Fratton Park for an FA Cup tie, you know the lineups will be scrutinised almost as much as the result. Arsenal’s visit to Portsmouth on 11 January 2026 was no exception — and Mikel Arteta’s team sheet revealed just how deep his squad now runs. With 11 changes from the previous league match, the starting XI confirmed what many had suspected: the FA Cup is becoming a proving ground for Arsenal’s fringe talents.

Match date: 11 January 2026 · Venue: Fratton Park · Competition: FA Cup third round · Arsenal starting XI (confirmed): Arrizabalaga, White, Norgaard, Gabriel, Lewis‑Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus · Portsmouth starting XI (confirmed): Bursik, Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Swanson, Dozzell, + others

Eight key facts about the match, one pattern: Arsenal’s squad depth is real, and the Gunners can field a completely rotated XI without losing quality.

What time is Portsmouth v Arsenal?

The match kicked off at 14:00 UTC on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at Fratton Park in Portsmouth (Sky Sports match details).

What is the kickoff time in GMT?

Kickoff was at 2:00 PM GMT — the standard early‑afternoon slot for an FA Cup third‑round tie.

What date is the match?

The fixture took place on Sunday, 11 January 2026. Both sets of team sheets were published roughly one hour before kickoff, as per FA regulations.

Bottom line: Supporters who tuned in early saw Arteta’s rotated side, a clear signal that squad depth was being prioritised over a pure cup run.

This early kick‑off slot suited both clubs, with Arsenal able to rest key players and still secure a comfortable win.

How to watch Portsmouth v Arsenal live on TV?

The match was broadcast live on BBC One in the United Kingdom and streamed via BBC iPlayer. In the United States, ESPN+ carried the game (BBC Sport broadcast details).

Which TV channel is showing the match?

BBC One showed the match live, with coverage starting at 13:30 GMT. The build‑up included the confirmed lineups being displayed on screen.

Is there a live stream?

Yes — BBC iPlayer provided a free live stream within the UK. ESPN+ subscribers in the US could also watch the match online.

Bottom line: Arsenal fans who tuned in early on BBC One saw a completely rotated XI — Arteta’s message was clear: the FA Cup is a development platform, not a distraction.

The broadcast choices reinforced that the FA Cup remains a key product for UK free‑to‑air television.

What is the probability of Arsenal winning?

Arsenal entered the match as heavy favourites. Pre‑match betting aggregators gave them roughly an 80% win probability (Oddschecker FA Cup odds). The final 4‑1 scoreline reflected that dominance.

What are the latest odds?

Arsenal were priced at around 1/5 to win, while Portsmouth were 12/1. The draw was 6/1. Those odds shifted slightly when the lineups were confirmed — Arteta’s rotated XI narrowed the gap in the betting market.

What do analysts say?

BBC Sport’s pre‑match analysis noted that Arsenal’s second‑string lineup still featured four or five established internationals, making a comfortable win likely. The prediction proved accurate.

The implication: even Arsenal’s rotational XI carries enough quality to handle lower‑league opposition, which is precisely why Arteta can afford to rest key players ahead of a Premier League run‑in.

Who is Arsenal’s best player right now?

Based on EA SPORTS FC 26 ratings, the highest‑rated Arsenal player is Bukayo Saka (86) (EA SPORTS FC 26 ratings). However, Saka was not in the matchday squad for the Portsmouth game, with the club managing his workload.

What are the highest rated Arsenal players in EA FC 26?

Following Saka (86), the next highest are Martin Ødegaard (85), Declan Rice (85), and Gabriel Jesus (84). Notably, Gabriel Martinelli — who scored a hat‑trick against Portsmouth — is rated 83.

Who is in form?

Martinelli’s three goals in 72 minutes against Portsmouth underline his recent form. The Brazilian winger now has 15 goals in all competitions this season (Sky Sports match stats).

The catch: Arsenal’s best player on paper (Saka) didn’t play, but their best on the day (Martinelli) produced a match‑winning performance. That’s the kind of depth that title challenges are built on.

Bottom line: Martinelli’s hat‑trick proved that Arsenal’s second‑string can deliver when the stars are rested — a luxury few rivals can afford.

Who scored for Arsenal against Portsmouth?

Arsenal’s goals came from Gabriel Martinelli (three) and an own goal by Portsmouth’s Andre Dozzell. Portsmouth’s lone goal was scored by Colby Bishop in the 3rd minute (Sky Sports match summary).

What was the score in the previous meeting?

The last FA Cup meeting between these sides was in 2023, when Arsenal won 3‑0 at the Emirates. The 4‑1 scoreline at Fratton Park continues Arsenal’s winning streak in this fixture.

Who were the goal scorers?

• Colby Bishop (POR) – 3’
• Andre Dozzell (POR, own goal) – 8’
• Gabriel Martinelli (ARS) – 25’, 51’, 72’

Arsenal’s historical lineups from the 2023 meeting included Saka, Odegaard, and Nketiah — none of whom started in 2026.

Why this matters: Martinelli’s hat‑trick was his first for Arsenal since February 2024. For a player whose form had been inconsistent, this performance could be a turning point in his season.

This hat‑trick, coupled with the clean sheet for the rotated defence, suggests the depth Arteta has built is more than just a talking point — it is a competitive advantage.

Three lineup aspects, one comparison: Arsenal fielded a completely different team shape to Portsmouth’s 4‑4‑2, using a 4‑3‑3 with fluid front three. The contrast in quality was stark.

The pattern: Arsenal’s depth means they can field an entirely rotated outfield and still have internationals in every position. For Portsmouth, the challenge was always going to be containing Arsenal’s pace on the break — something they failed to do after the opening minutes.

What the experts said

“Colby Bishop starts for Portsmouth after missing the last game through illness. That’s a big boost for John Mousinho’s side.”

BBC Sport (match commentary)

“Arsenal XI vs Portsmouth: Arrizabalaga, White, Norgaard, Gabriel, Lewis‑Skelly, Merino (c), Nwaneri, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus. No Saka, no Odegaard, no Rice.”

r/Gunners (Reddit lineup thread)

“Gabriel Martinelli’s hat‑trick shows exactly why Arteta kept faith in him. Three goals, all from inside the box — clinical finishing.”

Evening Standard (post‑match analysis)

The comments reflect the consensus that Arsenal’s depth was decisive, even without their highest‑rated stars.

The balance of known and unknown facts underlines how much of the pre‑match narrative was shaped by Arsenal’s rotation rather than specific absences.

Summary

Arsenal’s 4‑1 FA Cup win at Portsmouth confirmed two things: Mikel Arteta’s squad rotation can handle a cup tie without the stars, and Gabriel Martinelli is finding his best form at the right moment. The rotated XI delivered a professional performance after an early scare, demonstrating the depth that keeps Arsenal in the Premier League title race. For Arteta, the decision is clear: continue rotating in cup competitions to keep his first‑choice players fresh, or use the FA Cup momentum to build more cohesion among the second string. Arteta’s approach suggests both paths are viable, giving Arsenal a dual advantage in cup and league.

For fans looking to follow the action, details on how to watch the match are available alongside the confirmed lineups.

Frequently asked questions

For more FA Cup lineup details, check our other coverage on Argentina vs Colombia lineups and Bournemouth vs Liverpool standings.