Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Pablo Mari could start Monday night's FA Cup fifth round tie against Portsmouth.

The centre-back has yet to make an appearance for the Gunners since his arrival from Brazilian side Flamengo, but he has turned out for the club's under-23 side.

Mari - who had previously been on the books at Manchester City - played for the first 45 minutes of an under-23 fixture against City's youngsters on Friday night.

Fellow first-teamer Ainsley Maitland-Niles also played the first half of the 4-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium, with the pair replaced at half-time by Rob Holding and Reiss Nelson.

When questioned if Mari was ready for the first-team at a press conference on Saturday, Arteta said: "Yes, I think he need minutes, like Rob did, like Ainsley and like Reiss as well.

"I think it was a good game for them to get their fitness levels tested as well and they trained today really well. They are all, I think, ready to play."