Portsmouth 0 Arsenal 2 - Neil Allen's verdict: Fratton faithful ooze pride, but bigger battles to fight

Realistically, something had to be surrendered pursuit of glory - Kenny Jackett accepted that very moment last night in the FA Cup.

With a fixture list ever-burdened by league games and cup competitions, Arsenal ensured interest has been halted in one of them after a 2-0 fifth-round triumph.

Far from a disaster, of course, such is the priority fixed on earning promotion from League One from the present placing of third.

Wembley in the Leasing.com Trophy also remains incidental, a bonus if you will, in a campaign devoted towards reaching the Championship.

Certainly Jackett’s team selection for the occasion of the biggest name to visit Fratton Park for a decade signalled his train of thought.

Some of the Fratton faith may disagree, undoubtedly the reaction towards his six starting XI changes was mixed, albeit once the surprise news had been digested.

Not that those on display downed tools, far from it, with Arsenal finally making their breakthrough during first-half stoppage time of the televised encounter.

Up until Sokratis Papastathopoulos opened the scoring on the stroke of the interval, the hosts have been bold, vibrant and full of attacking threat.

Crucially, however, they lacked that telling final ball to capitalise on some promising situations, with Marcus Harness and Ellis Harrison at the heart of the finest moments.

Jackett’s men were in their pomp during the opening 45 minutes, sadly it was an impressiveness which was never recaptured during the remainder of the game.

Then, six minutes after the break, Eddie Nketiah made it 2-0 and so the game was effectively over, FA Cup progress over for the hosts.

The Blues can remain proud, a crowd of 18,839 and television audience witnessing a resolute display, even when forced to chase during the Gunners’ second-half dominance.

A defeat it was, but a trip to promotion rivals Peterborough is next on the agenda - and where Pompey’s sights should really be trained.

It’s an approach clearly reflected by Jackett last night resting a string of first-team regulars, including Tom Naylor, Ronan Curtis and Sean Raggett.

Also omitted were Andy Cannon, John Marquis and Lee Brown, with the latter left out of the squad entirely along with Brett Pitman.

Among the recalls was the surprise presence of Gareth Evans, seemingly out of favour but back in the side as skipper for the occasion.

Others returning to the starting XI were Steve Seddon, Ben Close, Ellis Harrison, Marcus Harness and Ross McCrorie.

The dropping of Raggett, in particular, had an impact on roles, with James Bolton switching over from right-back to serve in the centre of defence alongside Christian Burgess.

That saw Ross McCrorie feature at right-back, with Evans as the number 10 and Harness on the left of the attacking three.

When the match got underway, after three minutes Seddon’s high cross from the left was headed back across goal by Harrison with Evans shaping to make contact, only for Emiliano Martinez to claw the ball away.

It was a timely intervention from Arsenal’s keeper, with Pompey’s skipper flying in for the loose ball, only to be thwarted.

Harrison was allowed to stretch his legs on eight minutes following an accurate ball out of defence finding him in the Gunners’ half.

With no support, the striker embarked on a strong run against two defenders before his right-footed shot deflected off Pablo Mari for a corner down the left.

The Blues had started strongly, and Harness found a way clear down the left before cutting inside, only for his cross aimed at Harrison towards the far post to be headed away.

A robust challenge from Bolton left Lucas Torreira writhing on the floor in agony, prompting the summons of a stretcher during a lengthy delay.

The injury was sufficient to end the midfielder’s game, replaced by Dani Ceballos on 16 minutes.

In the 22nd minute, Alex Bass was asked to make a low save from Bukayo Saka’s shot from the left, without too much discomfort.

Pompey’s play was heartening, however, and they flew straight to the other end to win a corner after Harness’ shot took a slight deflection.

The hosts were buzzing and when Harness’ quick free-kick found Seddon down the left, his cross was met by the late run of Evans, whose header flew comfortably wide.

At the other end, Gabriel Martinelli somehow spurned a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock from inside the six-yard box when he headed over Reiss Nelson’s strong cross.

Matteo Guendouzi collected the game’s first booking on 36 minutes after theatrically putting the ball down for a free-kick when the referee had told him to reposition it.

Cameron McGeehan then followed him after fouling Joe Willock, and could have no complaints.

Arsenal wrestled the lead during first-half stoppage time to make it 1-0 at the break.

Nelson’s cross from the right was rattled into the net through a ferocious shot from defender Sokratis, giving Bass absolutely no chance.

When play restarted after the interval, a Pompey counter-attack handed Harness a glimpse of goal.

Following an Arsenal corner, Evans cleverly guided the ball into the path of Harness charging past the halfway line with just one Gunners player in attendance.

Crucially, however, the winger’s first touch was heavy, and Guendouzi mopped up to ensure there was no damage.

It was 2-0 to Arsenal on 51 minutes when Nelson’s cross from the right was steered home at the near post by Nketiah with quick feet.

Arsenal were now content to keep possession, leaving the Blues chasing in the fading hope they could retrieve the ball to launch an attack.

On 67 minutes, Jackett made a double substitution, with Curtis and Marquis on for Harrison and Harness.

Moments later, Curtis drove in a right-footed shot from the left, yet it was straight at Arsenal’s keeper.

Pompey made their third and final substitution on 74 minutes, with Cannon coming off for Evans.

It then took a super finger-tip save from Bass to push Saka’s left-footed drive over the bar when it suggested this was goal number three.

Pompey plugged away gainly, refusing to concede ground against the superior Gunners and, to their credit, the scoreline remained 2-0 at the final whistle.

A rare Fratton Park defeat - but priorities lie elsewhere. There can be no doubt about that.