The Arsenal-supporting Ronan Curtis household and another chapter of a dream Portsmouth rise

But the youngest member of the Curtis clan still doesn’t know if his siblings will be looking from the home or away end, as he aims to blast his boyhood club out of the FA Cup.

That will be the challenge for Ronan Curtis as he locks horns with the club he spent his childhood following the fortunes of - along with 10 brothers and sisters.

Since being paired with the Premier League big boys at the end of last month, Pompey’s fifth-round opposition has quite understandably been the talk of the Curtis household.

The dash for tickets has long been underway, but the Republic of Ireland international is confident all of his family will be housed in a sell-out Fratton Park for what is certain to be a spine-tingling occasion under the lights.

‘It’s amazing, amazing,’ as he anticipated what lies ahead against the Gunners.

‘I grew up an Arsenal fan. In fact, my whole family grew up Arsenal fans. The whole household followed them.

‘My idol was Thierry Henry because I played up front and he was a striker.

‘So it’s going to be good to be playing them and see Arsenal for the first time.

‘It’s going to be an amazing day and I can’t wait for it.

‘It’s from my dad’s side. He’s an Arsenal fan and we are the whole way down from there.

‘I’m fortunate with the tickets, but I still expect there will be a battle.

‘All the family are going to be flying over for the game and the support’s going to be brilliant.

‘I don’t know what end they are going to be sitting in, though!

‘I expect there will be some uproar when we get talking about that!

‘I’m definitely looking forward to the occasion, though.’

For Curtis to truly savour the occasion, Pompey will need to arrest a winless run against Arsenal which stretches back 62 years and 21 encounters.

Eddie Lever was the man in charge as a dramatic 5-4 success was collected in 1958, before the barren run ensued.

Pompey will go in a best-priced 7/1 to pull of a shock and put an end to that woeful record, but, with the pressure off, Curtis sees no reason he can’t be celebrating what would be a headline-grabbing victory.

He added: ‘Can we do it? Why not?

‘It’s 11 v 11 on the day and we’ll see what happens.

‘If we take our chances when they arrive I see no reason why we can’t do it.

‘There’s not too much for us to fear. We’ve got nothing to lose.

‘They’re not doing too well and we’re going along brilliantly at the minute.

‘If we can win our individual battles and take our chances I actually see no way we can lose really!’

The Arsenal clash will be another landmark for Curtis and a clear indicator into quite far his career has come in two years, since joining from League of Ireland side Derry City.

It arrives fresh off the back of the 23-year-old signing a new three-and-a-half year deal tying the winger to Pompey until the summer of 2023.

Curtis admitted he views such successes as reflected reward for the endeavours of his parents in helping him to where he is today.

Mum, Marie, has picked up a cult following on Twitter and joined Curtis along with dad, Dave, at their Old Portsmouth home as they embrace the city.

They can definitely expect a packed house for the Arsenal occasion.

‘Mum loves the club and loves being here,’ Curtis said.

‘We are a tight, tight family and there’s a load of us.

‘There’s a lot of fights and a lot of arguments, but we love each other to pieces and would do anything for each other.

‘It’s lovely when they all come over to see me play. It’s one, big massive circle - my circle.

‘My parents come to watch every game.

‘Being here has been an eye-opener for them and they love it pieces.

‘They deserve credit for bringing six boys up playing football. Luckily, I’ve been able to make it as the youngest.

‘Some of my other brothers had bad knee injuries they never came back from, but I’ve been able to stick to my guns.

‘I wanted to do it for my mum and dad, and I feel I’m doing it for them - I’m repaying them for everything they’ve done for me.’