Portsmouth's Ronan Curtis wants FA Cup shock against Arsenal

The former Derry City man, who has been in top form with Pompey this season, wants his current form to continue against the Gunners in front of the BT Sport cameras.

The 23-year-old, who is Pompey’s current topscorer having scored 13 goals. He’s also registered seven assists this campaign and knows if the League One side cause a shock, he won’t be a popular boy amongst his family members as they are all die-hard Arsenal fans.

“Yeah all my family are all big Arsenal fans but on Monday night they’ll be Pompey fans and then they’ll go back to supporting Arsenal after the game,” he said.

“Obviously growing up being an Arsenal fan means I can’t wait for the game. It didn’t really sink in at the time but with the tie getting closer and closer, it’s just like a dream come true for me and I can’t wait for it now.

“All my family are buzzing and I’m buzzing for the tie, so it’s going to be a good night.”

Since Mikel Arteta has taken over the Emirates, the Gunners’ form has picked up but the St Johnston native was expecting a tough test regardless of who was in charge of the North London men.

“Arsenal have had back to back wins and are in good form and they’ll have a big test in the Europa League tonight (Thursday),” he added.

“But from our point of view we are just focusing on our next game against Rochdale on Friday night and then we’ll look at the Arsenal game on Monday. but, look, it’s just 11 men against 11 men on Monday and if we play to our standards, which we have done over the last two or three months, anything can happen.

“Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wears the number 14 shirt, which Thierry Henry wore, who I loved and he’s flying at the minute and he has got 17 league goals so far this season. Aubameyang is a top class player and he’s showing that in the Premier League, but they obviously have other top quality players there as well, but as I said it’s 11 men against 11 men and we’ll have to do our jobs and not switch off for a second, because in the Premier League you can’t switch off or it’s a goal straight away.

“But we know what we are capable of and what they are capable of but come Monday night, hopefully we can put on a performance and hopefully we can do it.”

The Ireland international, who only recently signed a new three and half year deal with Kenny Jackett’s men, wants to cause a cup shock, but clinching promotion to the Championship has to be the club’s number one priority.

Currently sitting five points behind leaders Rotherham United, the Fratton Park men have played a game less and Curtis admits going up is a massive target, but also taking on Salford City in EFL Trophy Final, at Wembley in April, is something everyone at the club is looking forward to.

“We are flying at the minute and if you had said we would get to Wembley again, face Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round and fighting for promotion, I think we would have taken your arm off for it,” he added.

“But we are doing really well, we are flying in the league and get to Wembley obviously for the second time in as many seasons is great, so we are doing fantastic and all the boys are buzzing and we think this is our year.”