Portsmouth vs Arsenal Predictions

• Arsenal have scored two goals or fewer in nine of their last 11 matches.
• The Gunners have won their last three away games.
• Portsmouth have kept only two clean sheets in their last 15 outings.

Glorious times for the Gunners

These are exciting times at Arsenal with the Londoners six points clear at the top of the Premier League and riding high in the Champions League, and manager Mikel Arteta should afford the luxury of resting a few of his big names for the FA Cup trip to Championship strugglers Portsmouth.

Complacency against a Pompey team ravaged by injuries could be the Gunners’ biggest enemy, but those who have spent most of the season watching from the sidelines should be looking for a piece of the action.

Arteta should have the resources to deal with the Fratton Park assignment with little trouble as it is questionable whether their opponents will get a foothold in the game and provide much of a threat.

Pompey may offer little threat

Pompey have their own priorities as they look to drag themselves away from relegation trouble during the second half of the second-tier season, but they have to pick themselves up from a 5-0 New Year’s Day loss at Bristol City that will have done nothing for confidence levels.

Their five wins in the league since the opening weekend have all come at Fratton Park, but even Arsenal’s reserves will be a huge step up in class.

It is difficult to see the visitors conceding so Arsenal to win to nil appeals and, as they have not been going goal crazy, they could cruise to a 2-0 success.