Arsenal look to get back to winning ways when they face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Premier League leaders missed the chance to go eight points clear last time out, as they were held to a goalless draw by Liverpool.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Portsmouth
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Salmon, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Nwaneri, Jesus, Martinelli
Mikel Arteta’s side now switch their attention towards avoiding a third successive third-round exit from the FA Cup.
The Gunners were beaten by Manchester United on penalties at this stage of last season’s competition, while they lost to Liverpool 12 months earlier.
In fact, since lifting the trophy during Arteta’s first season in 2019-20, Arsenal have failed to progress beyond the FA Cup fourth round.
Nevertheless, they will fancy getting back on track against Championship strugglers Portsmouth, who are joint a point above the relegation zone in the second tier.
Arsenal team news vs Portsmouth
With Chelsea awaiting his side in the EFL Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, Arteta is highly likely to rotate his squad.
That should mean cup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga returns between the sticks, while the likes of Christian Norgaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri may get opportunities to stretch their legs.
Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Magalhaes may be included to build up their fitness, but Max Dowman, Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera are unavailable due to injury.
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Can the Gunners stop their FA Cup rot?
Arsenal are looking to avoid suffering three straight FA Cup third-round exits for the first time since just after the Second World War.
Therefore, they will be grateful for the opportunity to face Portsmouth, a side against whom they are unbeaten in their last 22 meetings across all competitions.
When Pompey last tasted victory over Arsenal in March 1958, work was just beginning on the M1.
The Gunners will hope this is the start of another road to FA Cup glory, as it has been on two of the four previous occasions they have met Portsmouth in the competition, in 1970-71 and 2019-20.
Arsenal also prevailed when they collided in 1931-32 and 2003-04, only facing Brighton and Leyton Orient in more times with a 100 per cent success rate (five from five).