FA Cup Third Round Draw Hands Arsenal Trip to Portsmouth

What Arsenal vs Portsmouth FA Cup tie means for the Gunners this season

The 2025-26 FA Cup third-round draw has resulted in an exciting Arsenal vs Portsmouth clash, setting up a classic Premier League-versus-League One clash. Conducted on December 8, the draw once again produced a mix of giant-killers, glamour ties and potential storylines as the competition enters one of its most iconic stages.

Arsenal will travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth, a club that knows how to rise to big occasions. The Gunners, who last lifted the FA Cup in 2020, enter the tie as favourites. However, Portsmouth’s passionate home crowd and historic pedigree—having won the trophy in 2008—make this fixture far from straightforward.

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With Arsenal currently fighting at the top of the Premier League table, Mikel Arteta will need to rotate wisely while maintaining momentum. Meanwhile, Portsmouth will view this match as the perfect opportunity to stun a top-flight giant on home turf.

Big Ties Across the Board

Beyond Arsenal’s matchup, the draw delivered several mouth-watering fixtures. Defending champions Manchester United will host Brighton in a Premier League clash that promises intensity. Manchester City, on the other hand, must navigate a tricky away trip to League One side Exeter City.

Meanwhile, Liverpool welcome Championship outfit Barnsley, and Chelsea face a short journey to Charlton Athletic. In addition, Tottenham Hotspur versus Aston Villa stands out as the all-Premier-League tie that could provide high-scoring drama.

As always, the magic of the FA Cup shines brightest through the lower-league stories. Boreham Wood hosting Burton Albion and Macclesfield welcoming Crystal Palace offer fresh narrative angles. Wrexham, still enjoying global attention, get another big stage as they take on Nottingham Forest at home.

Full FA Cup Third-Round Fixtures

Wolves v Shrewsbury Town

Doncaster Rovers v Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

Port Vale v Fleetwood Town

Preston North End v Wigan Athletic

Ipswich Town v Blackpool

Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

Manchester City v Exeter City

West Ham United v QPR

Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

Fulham v Middlesbrough

Everton v Sunderland

Liverpool v Barnsley

Burnley v Millwall

Norwich City v Walsall

Portsmouth v Arsenal

Derby County v Leeds United

Swansea City v West Brom

Salford City v Swindon Town

Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

Grimsby Town v Weston-super-Mare

Hull City v Blackburn Rovers

Newcastle United v Bournemouth

MK Dons v Oxford United

Cheltenham Town v Leicester City

Cambridge United v Birmingham City

Bristol City v Watford

Stoke City v Coventry City

Macclesfield v Crystal Palace

Manchester United v Brighton

Sheffield United v Mansfield Town

With replays on the line and knockout drama guaranteed, this year’s third-round draw delivers everything fans expect from the FA Cup. Moreover, the Arsenal-Portsmouth tie adds another compelling chapter as the Gunners seek both silverware and depth across competitions.

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