Arsenal line-ups vs Portsmouth decided as Ethan Nwaneri call made amid nine changes

football.london reporters have their stab at predicting Mikel Arteta's Arsenal starting XI for the FA Cup third-round trip to Portsmouth on Sunday (2pm)

Fourteen-time FA Cup winners Arsenal are looking to lift the trophy for the first time since 2020 when they begin their campaign at Portsmouth in the third round on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta's side are bidding to get back to winning ways following Thursday's frustrating 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

Piero Hincapie could well miss the contest due to injury while the match is also expected to come too soon for Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera.

football.london's chief Arsenal reporter Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have had their go at predicting the Gunners' starting XI.

Tom Canton - Chief Arsenal reporter

All change please! The result against Liverpool was not ideal and certainly a missed opportunity but the weekend’s trip to Portsmouth allows for some fresh legs and new ideas.

The most in focus will be a chance to start for Gabriel Jesus, to see what he can bring to the team. It’s less about the player and more about the profile as the target man Viktor Gyokeres simply isn’t bringing what Mikel Arteta’s side needs.

Kai Havertz could also make his return but would be a surprise starter and is more likely instead to come off the bench. Myles Lewis-Skelly needs a big game here after a dismal cameo against the Reds, while Eberechi Eze gets his first start since the League Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace before Christmas.

Martinelli might well have started this game, but with Ethan Nwaneri and Eze in need of minutes, and the incident involving Conor Bradley bringing the Brazilian into some unwanted focus, it might be even with Leandro Trossard rested, the 24-year-old holds the bench for this one.

Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Portsmouth: Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Nwaneri; Madueke, Jesus, Eze

Ryan Taylor - London football reporter

I think it would be wise for Arsenal to significantly rotate their starting XI given the recent fixture pile-up.

I'd bring Kepa Arrizabalaga in between the sticks with Ben White coming in at right-back. I'd also consider starting Marli Salmon alongside Christian Norgaard at the back because Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba need rest.

Whether that will happen or not is another question altogether though but I think Salmon could start alongside Saliba. At left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly comes in for Piero Hincapie.

Things get interesting in midfield but I wouldn't be surprised to see Norgaard play the Martin Zubimendi role with Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze ahead of him.

Ethan Nwaneri really should start but I fear he might not, even if he'll get minutes on the South Coast. Gabriel Martinelli should start on the left with Noni Madueke on the right and Gabriel Jesus up top as the No.9.

It would be a real shame if Nwaneri doesn't start because this is precisely the game where he should be unleashed. Still, Mikel Arteta will be cautious that Portsmouth will be capable of executing an upset if Arsenal are not on their A game.

Taylor's Arsenal XI vs Portsmouth: Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli.