Arsenal planning on taking Portsmouth FA Cup tie seriously - and the big names who could feature at Fratton Park

It has been very much an up and down season for Arsenal so far.

They got off to a fairly decent start in the Premier League and were in the top three – but then they went off the rails.

The instructions of former head coach Unai Emery weren’t coming across clear because of the language barrier and, to be honest, it took the Gunners too long to get rid of him.

Arsenal wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now if they’d have reacted sooner.

But Mikael Arteta has come in and revitalised them and the changes have been instant.

He arrived when the players were shot of confidence but helped guide them to a 10-match unbeaten streak before the Olympiacos loss on Thursday.

There were never any concerns about Arteta as a coach, having served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Manchester City.

And the players who weren't playing the best, like David Luiz and Mesut Ozil, have had an upturn.

Arteta’s been fairly clear from the start that he wants to win the FA Cup, which he won as a player for the club.

He wants to get to Wembley, and now the Gunners are no longer fighting on three fronts after going out of the Europa League, it’s the last chance of silverware this season.

You could see with the teams that played against Leeds and Bournemouth in the earlier rounds that Arsenal are taking the competition seriously.

Arteta won’t let his players underestimate Pompey – or any opponent.

What the boss wants them to understand is they have to play their best and not take any opponent lightly – he won't let Arsenal think it’s a walk in the park.

In terms of the who might play, I think Alexandre Lacazette will start up front.

Granit Xhaka has been involved in most games, while Ozil could also start, although captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to be on the bench.

Bukayo Saka is also the only fit left-back and will feature from the outset.

He’s a winger, but as many know he has done really well for an 18-year-old even though it didn’t look like he’d get a lot of chances.

Arsenal's predicted starting line-up

Emiliano Martínez, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Rob Holding, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, Matteo Guendouzi, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, Gabriel Martinelli, Alexandre Lacazette

Subs: Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari, Lucas Torreira, Héctor Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah.