How to watch Portsmouth vs Arsenal - TV channel, live stream and radio coverage

9 hours ago 2

Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to Fratton Park to face Championship strugglers Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round on Sunday

This weekend's FA Cup clash is a classic David versus Goliath encounter, with Premier League frontrunners Arsenal heading to Fratton Park to take on Championship strugglers Portsmouth. Currently sitting 21st in the Championship, Pompey have managed just six victories from their 24 matches this season.

In stark contrast, the Gunners are flying high, remaining unbeaten in their last four league outings and on course to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in two decades. With an impressive 14 victories, Arsenal hold the record for the most FA Cup wins in the competition's history.

Crystal Palace currently hold the FA Cup, having triumphed over Manchester City in 2025, but Arsenal are aiming to lift the trophy this year and cement their status as a dominant force for years to come.

The match comes hot on the heels of Arsenal's Premier League face-off with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium, so it's anticipated that Mikel Arteta will shuffle his starting line-up for this game.

Portsmouth's season has been fraught with difficulties, and a growing injury list isn't making life any easier for manager John Mousinho. However, they'll have a longer preparation period than Arsenal, with a 10-day gap since their last match. Their Ipswich Town clash was called off due to frost last weekend.

The fixture falls smack in the middle of the January transfer window - a tumultuous period for any club. Given their escalating injury woes, Portsmouth may need to delve into the transfer market, and while Arsenal's squad appears settled, there's no reason why Arteta wouldn't want to bolster his ranks.

In a conversation with Sky Sports regarding the difficulties of incorporating new players into his tactical approach, Arteta explained: "It's like shaping a pencil. It's something you have to tweak constantly."

The encounter with Portsmouth will provide Arteta with an opportunity to experiment and "shape the pencil" of this exceptional Arsenal squad. Here's all the essential information you need about this weekend's fixture.