Is Portsmouth vs Arsenal on TV? FA Cup third round stream and channel | Football | Sport

January 11, 2026 2,699

This weekend’s FA Cup clash is a classic David versus Goliath encounter as Premier League frontrunners Arsenal head to Fratton Park to take on Championship strugglers Portsmouth. Pompey, languishing in 21st place in the Championship, have managed just six victories from 24 matches this season.

In stark contrast, the Gunners are riding high, unbeaten in their last four league outings and on course to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in 20 years. Arsenal boast an impressive record of 14 FA Cup wins, the most in the competition’s history.

Crystal Palace, who lost to Macclesfield on Saturday, 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 truly dominant force for the foreseeable future.

The match comes hot on the heels of Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool, so it’s expected that Mikel Arteta will shuffle his starting line-up for this game.

Portsmouth have had a tough season, and a spate of injuries isn’t making life any easier for manager John Mousinho. However, they’ll have more preparation time than Arsenal, with a 10-day gap since their last game.

Their previous match against Ipswich Town was called off due to poor weather conditions.

The fixture falls smack in the middle of the January transfer window – a hectic period for any club. Given their growing injury list, Portsmouth will likely 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.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the challenges of integrating new players into his system, Arteta said: “It’s like shaping a pencil. It’s something you have to tweak constantly.”

The fixture against Portsmouth will provide Arteta with an opportunity to experiment with this impressive Arsenal squad. Here’s all the essential information you need about this weekend’s match.