Portsmouth's FA Cup run comes to end after suffering defeat against Arsenal

The Blues more than matched their Premier League opponents for stages of the game, especially in the first half, but were ultimately undone by two moments of quality.

Sokratis Papstrathopoulous opened the scoring for the Gunners in first-half stoppage-time, before Eddie Nkedtiah doubled the lead on 52 minutes.

Yet Kenny Jackett’s men could hold their heads high at the final whistle as they helped Pompey enjoy their best run in the competition since reaching the final in 2010.

Jackett rang the changes from Friday night’s 3-0 win over Rochdale, making six in total.

It was clear the boss was prioritising the League One promotion push, as he opted to rest key players such as skipper Tom Naylor and Ronan Curtis.

That meant there was a surprise recall for Gareth Evans, while the likes of Ben Close and Marcus Harness also started.

There was a red-hot atmosphere inside PO4 from kick-off, with Evans – named captain for the evening – having an early shot blocked by David Luiz.

Then a minute later Steve Seddon’s cross was nodded back across goal by Ellis Harrison, with Gunners keeper Emiliano Martinez forced to claw away.

It was the hosts asking all the questions in the formative stages, with Harrison having a dangerous effort thwarted for a corner in the eighth minute.

There was a long stoppage in play when Lucas Torreira went down injured after a robust but fair challenge from James Bolton.

Torreria was forced to be stretchered off in the 16th minute and replaced by Dani Ceballos.

Arsenal finally started making inroads in Pompey’s half and on 20 minutes Gabriel Martinelli skipped past McCrorie and pulled a ball back for Nkeitah, but Christian Burgess made a crucial interception.

Three minutes later Bukayo Sako had a cross-cum-shot well held by Pompey stopper Alex Bass.

The game continued to be an open affair, with livewire Harness having a shot deflected wide by Pablo Mari.

Then on 28 minutes, Evans would have been disappointed he headed Steve Seddon's cross wide, having done the hard work to time his run into the box perfectly.

But Pompey were given a reminder of their Premier League opposition’s quality when Reiss Nelson pulled a ball back from the byline, although Martinelli headed over from close range.

However, the Blues continued to put Mikel Arteta’s men under pressure and Evans had an effort charged down in the 32nd minute after his free-kick wasn’t properly cleared.

Yet Pompey were hit with a cruel blow in stoppage-time when they went fell behind. Nelson got a second opportunity to cross and there was Sokratis to apply the finish with aplomb.

The Blues didn’t drop their heads in the second period, though, and started in good fashion.

Seddon’s clever pass slipped in Ryan Williams, who jinked his way past an Arsenal defender but dragged his shot well wide.

But again the Gunners displayed the ruthless side to their game and doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute.

Nelson beat Seddon down the right and his cross at the near post was hooked into the roof of the net by Nketiah.

After that, Arsenal began to dictate play and monopolised the ball as they sat with a comfortable lead.

Jackett attempted to find a way back into the game by making a double substitution on 67 minutes, with Curtis and John Marquis replacing Harness and Harrison.

And in the 73 minute Curtis sent the Gunners a warning shot when he collected Bass’ long ball before his angled effort was gathered by Martinez.

Jackett had one last roll of the dice by bringing on Andy Cannon for Evans .

But it was the visitors who almost had a third when Bass tipped over Saka’s drive from the edge of the box.

Pompey were restricted to few chances in the closing stages, although five minutes left Curtis’ cross was cleared as far as Cannon, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

There was to be no giant-killing for the Blues, though, with Arsenal moving into the quarter-finals of the Cup.

Yet Jackett's men accrued more than £1m from their run to the fifth round – and now they can concentrate on their League One promotion push.