Arteta to make nine Arsenal changes for FA Cup game vs Portsmouth, £50m star returns

Arsenal take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round at Fratton Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta is poised to make wholesale changes from the goalless Premier League draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

The Gunners have had a heavy workload in the league over the festive period. Arteta could play with a new-look attack and midfield with a new goalkeeper between the sticks.

Arsenal will be aiming to make the FA fourth round for the first time in three seasons.

Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal

Arrizabalaga has been the Cup goalkeeper for the Gunners this campaign. The Spaniard helped the club progress to the Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea with a vital save in the penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace last month.

The 31-year-old should get the nod in goal against Portsmouth ahead of league regular David Raya. It would provide ideal preparation before the first leg of the League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

Two changes in defence

With Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera and possibly Piero Hincapie sidelined (suffered a knock in midweek), manager Mikel Arteta may have to stick with his first-choice pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence.

Jurrien Timber has had a heavy workload over the course of the season, and we don’t see him moving into central defence. Ben White should replace the Dutchman at right-back tomorrow. The £50 million signing looks set to make his first start since his return from a hamstring injury.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is an automatic choice at left-back with Calafiori and Hincapie out.

A fresh midfield trio

Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard should be given a breather. The trio could start on the bench. Christian Norgaard is the immediate deputy for Zubimendi in the number six role.

There is a temptation to pick two central attacking midfielders in Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze, but Arteta could be more cautious and may prefer the defensive assurance of Mikel Merino alongside Eze.

Eze has a big point to prove tomorrow. He was an unused league substitute for four games before his short cameo against the Reds. He needs a strong display before the League Cup semi-final tie.

A different attack

There has been much criticism from some fans and pundits over Viktor Gyokeres’ position upfront, but Arteta prefers him for his ability to keep opposition defenders occupied, thereby creating space for his teammates.

The Swede, however, could be given a breather on Sunday along with regular wingers Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka. It could be the same front three that started the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke were superb in the opening half of that game, where Arsenal could have easily been 3-0 or 4-0 ahead on another day. The trio look poised to start against Portsmouth on the road.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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