George Graham and Pompey's Colin Blant in 1971 | By Owen Pinch Despite both clubs having a long and proud history, Arsenal and Portsmouth have met on just three previous occasions in the FA Cup. Pompey have yet to register a win over Arsenal in the famous old competition, and another good omen for the Gunners is that whenever the two teams have met we have never failed to reach the final. The first meeting, a fifth round tie in 1932, saw the Gunners run out 2-0 winners at Fratton Park with goals from Hulme and Bastin. Arsenal then went on to beat Huddersfield Town in the quarter-finals and Manchester City in the semi's before losing 2-1 in the final to Newcastle United. There was a gap of 39 years before the two teams were again pulled out of the velvet bag together. Played | Arsenal wins | Draws | Portsmouth wins | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
It was the legendary 1971 FA Cup run, and Arsenal had already disposed of non-league Yeovil Town in the third round. Portsmouth were our opponents in the fourth round and went one-nil down, thanks to a Peter Storey penalty. Arsenal seemingly had the tie wrapped up until the final minute when Pompey's Mike Trebilcock popped-up to earn the home side a replay at Highbury. FA Cup record at Fratton Park | |
Played | Arsenal wins | Draws | Portsmouth wins | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Arsenal made no mistake at home winning 3-2 with goals from Charlie George and the two 'Peters' Simpson and Storey. Arsenal of course went on to win the FA Cup that season, beating Manchester City, Leicester City, Stoke City and finally Liverpool to clinch the elusive 'Double.' FA Cup record v Portsmouth | |
Date | Round | H/A/N | W/D/L | F | A | 01/02/1971 | 4th Replay | H | W | 3 | 2 | 23/01/1971 | 4th | A | D | 1 | 1 | 13/02/1932 | 5th | A | W | 2 | 0 |
[04 March 2004] |