Mikel Arteta could start 16-year-old in third-ro

Arsenal are expected to rotate when they travel to take on Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

It is the first of four away games in four competitions in the space of nine days and Mikel Arteta is set to make use of the strong squad available to him.

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That could mean a first start for Eberechi Eze since the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace last month, while Noni Madueke is also in contention to come into the side.

Arsenal hope to have Kai Havertz in the squad but he is not believed to be ready to start, so Gabriel Jesus will likely lead the line unless Arteta opts to keep trying to play Viktor Gyokeres into form.

The Gunners will again be without Riccardo Calafiori, with Arteta confirming that this match will be “too early” for him.

Piero Hincapie is also a major doubt, having gone off against Liverpool with a suspected hamstring injury. He was due to undergo scans on Friday.

“We have to see the extent of what happened to Piero,” Arteta said.

“He could not carry on in the second half, so I don’t know exactly what it is.”

That leaves Myles Lewis-Skelly as the obvious starter at left-back and there could be an opportunity for 16-year-old Marli Salmon if Arteta decides to rest one of Gabriel or William Saliba.

Kepa will start in goal, as he has been doing in the Carabao Cup, and the likes of Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino are options in midfield.

Ethan Nwaneri will hope for some minutes, even off the bench. He has not featured since the win over Club Brugge a month ago.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Salmon, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli

Injured: Calafiori, Mosquera, Dowman

Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz

Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday, January 11, 2026

How to watch: TNT Sports

Venue: Fratton Park

Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.

The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.

Piero Hincapie

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.

Kai Havertz

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Match fitness

Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)

Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.

Riccardo Calafiori

Status: Out

Type of injury: Muscle

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.

Cristhian Mosquera

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)

Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.

Max Dowman

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: Unknown

Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.

ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST

Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.

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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.

The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club

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There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.

With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.