Match Day Thread Pompey v Arsenal - FA Cup 5th Round

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The League One promotion bid gets put briefly to one side this evening, as Pompey continue their Emirates FA Cup adventure.

Harrogate Town, Altrincham, Fleetwood and Barnsley have already been seen off by Kenny Jackett’s men.

But it is a different proposition at Fratton Park tonight, with Premier League giants Arsenal the opposition.

They head to the south coast after suffering extra-time heartache to exit the Europa League at the hands of Olympiakos on Thursday.

But the Gunners have been able to rest up over the weekend, with Manchester City in Wembley action to postpone their scheduled league meeting.

Mikel Arteta’s troops have only had to progress past two round to get to this stage, beating Leeds and Bournemouth.

Their focus will, like the Blues, be on trying to climb the table, with the Londoners currently sitting 10th in the top-flight standings.

Pompey have not faced Arsenal since their final Premier League campaign in 2009/10 and were beaten 4-1 in both meetings.

In fact, you have to go all the way back to 1958 to find their last success – an incredible 5-4 triumph that included a Johnny Gordon brace.

The winners of this evening’s contest will be ball number eight in Wednesday’s draw for the quarter-finals.

TEAM NEWS
Ellis Harrison’s return from a dead leg on Friday means that Pompey currently have an empty treatment room.

Bryn Morris is the only member of the squad not in contention, as he continues to slowly build his fitness following a long-term groin problem.

Arsenal will definitely be without the injured duo of Calum Chambers (knee) and Sead Kolasinac (shoulder).

The Londoners also have doubts over Shkodran Mustafi (muscle), Cedric Soares (knee) and Kieran Tierney (shoulder).

HEAD TO HEAD
Overall
Pompey: 14 wins
Arsenal: 32 wins
24 draws

At Fratton Park
Pompey: 8 wins
Arsenal: 13 wins
15 draws

TICKETS
Fratton Park is full to capacity for this tie.

Supporters should note that there are no parking spaces available to buy in the North Stand car park this evening.

OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: Simon Bennett and Edward Smart
Fourth Official: David Coote

BETTING
Pompey can be backed at 6/1 with Sky Bet to progress after 90 minutes, while the visitors are the 2/5 favourites.

 

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# Pompey's last 15 games at Fratton Park:

WWWWDWWWWWWWWWW

 

Haven't got a spare ticket unfortunately ! Have you got a ticket for Wembley yet, Sharpe* ? Pompey have a fantastic allocation from the EFL.

 

Was a good game, although we lost 0-2, we weren't disgraced ! The first half we played superbly, creating plenty of chances, and were unlucky to go in at half time a goal down, with a goal from Sokratis Papastathopoulos after 45 +4 minutes. They scored early in the second half, from Eddie Nketiah in the 51st minute. Closest we went was a cross shot from Ronan Curtis in the second half.

Arsenal certainly have a lot of decent young players, the one that mainly stood out for me being 18 year old left back Bukayo Saka who was always a threat going forward.

The atmosphere was superb throughout the game.

 

Tonight's attendance was 18,839 (including circa. 2,200 Gunners fans)

 

Match Highlights:-

http://c.newsnow.co.uk/A/1022139708?-11209:804

 

Yes, one for me, and one for my younger daughter. The club have sold 42,500 so far, so still around 8,000 available !