Mikel Arteta has opted to make 10 changes to his side for today’s FA Cup third round tie at Portsmouth, with Gabriel Jesus given a chance to start in attack.
The only player who also began Thursday’s draw against Liverpool is Gabriel, as Mikel shuffles his pack with Kepa Arrizabalaga given another chance to impress in goal.
He plays in front of a back four of Ben White, Christian Norgaard, Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Ethan Nwaneri is handed a first start since the start of November when we beat Slavia Prague. He is joined in midfield by Mikel Merino and Ebere Eze.
Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke will pose the threat from the wings, with Jesus leading the line. Kai Havertz is named on the bench again as he looks for his first action since the opening day following his knee injury.
He is one of a number of strong options in reserve, including Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, while 16-year-old Marli Salmon could become our youngest ever player in the FA Cup should he be handed a second Gunners game.
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Portsmouth meanwhile have made four changes to the team that started their last outing 10 days ago, when they were beaten 5-0 at Bristol City.
Striker Colby Bishop returns and will play in attack with the recalled Connor Chaplin, while Josef Bursik is handed a game between the posts.
Harvey Blair is preferred on the right wing to John Swift, while captain Marlon Pack is back on the bench after injury.
LINE-UP
Portsmouth: Bursik, Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Swanson, Dozzell, Le Roux, Segecic, Chaplin, Blair, Bishop.
Subs: Killip, Williams, Bowat, Oglivie, Pack, Farrell, Umeh, Swift, Kirk.
Arsenal: Arrizabalaga, White, Norgaard, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Nwaneri, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Jesus.
Subs: Raya, Timber, Salmon, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Havertz, Gyokeres.
Ahead of kick-off, get some need-to-know stats, a guide to Portsmouth’s season so far, TV coverage and more in our match preview
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Preview: Portsmouth v Arsenal
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