Arsenal: Kepa, White, Norgaard, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Merino, Eze, Madueke, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Raya, Saka, Odegaard, Timber, Gyokeres, Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice, Salmon
Arsenal secured their place in the FA Cup fourth round after beating Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park on Sunday, thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli and an own goal.
Mikel Arteta made ten changes from the side that drew against Liverpool on Thursday, with Ben White, Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze all starting.
Kai Havertz was named among the substitutes bench after missing out midweek, alongside 16-year-old Marli Salmon who provided defensive cover.
FIRST HALF
It was a nightmare start for Arsenal who found themselves behind after just three minutes, when Bishop reacted quickest to slot home a close range rebound with Kepa unable to parry the initial shot from Chaplin. 1-0.
Noni Madueke didn’t cover himself in glory for the goal, losing the ball too easily under pressure and after Portsmouth forced the high turnover, Kepa probably should’ve done better to push the shot further away from the penalty spot.
Fortunately for Arteta’s men, they were level five minutes later when a mixture of Christian Norgaard and some Portsmouth defenders bundled the ball in after Martinelli flicked on Eze’s dangerous corner at the near post. 1-1.
But that equaliser didn’t really do much to swing the momentum of the game, with Arsenal sloppy in possession and struggling to handle the Portsmouth press which Arteta clearly wasn’t happy about on the touchline.
The Gunners did get themselves ahead when Madueke whipped in another pinpoint corner with Martinelli rising highest (again at the near post) before flicking in past a stranded goalkeeper who came and got nowhere near the ball. 2-1.
Martinelli was inches away from doubling his tally on the half hour mark when his run in behind was found by Mikel Merino – but he got his effort just wrong – curling wide of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Martinelli had another golden chance to score after good play from Gabriel Jesus and Ben White, but he somehow miscued his back post finish and hit the post with the goal gaping.
Madueke had struggled for most of the first half but showed great strength and speed to get beyond former Hale Ender Swanson and win a penalty, but having taken responsibility for the spot kick himself, shot wide after stuttering his run up.
It was untidy and a bit awkward from Arsenal, but they got better as the half went on and should have been out of sight after missing the late penalty. I’m sure Arteta would’ve been warming up the hairdryer nonetheless.
SECOND HALF
Neither side made changes at the break, and Portsmouth had a big chance to equalise when a corner bobbled towards the back post but White showed great defensive instincts and bravery to block Chaplin’s effort which was heading towards goal.
But almost straight up the other end, Arsenal added their third when quick thinking saw Myles Lewis-Skelly find Jesus from a free kick, and his inch-perfect ball across the six yard box was tucked in by a sliding Martinelli who made up for his earlier misses. 3-1.
That gave the visitors some much needed breathing room with Portsmouth continuing to press and harry at every opportunity, although gaps were beginning to open up as they began chasing the game.
With 20 minutes to play, Arteta made a triple substitution with Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Havertz replacing White (who had just been booked), Nwaneri and Jesus.
Havertz made an instant impact by playing Madueke through on goal but after his shot was deflected wide, Martinelli secured his hat-trick with a carbon copy of the second – flicking in at the near post after another excellent delivery from Madueke. 4-1.
Arsenal’s threat from set pieces is no secret but Portsmouth felt the full force of their quality, with three of their four goals (up until that point) coming from corners.
There was even time for some history to be made when Marli Salmon (16y 135d) became Arsenal’s youngest ever player in the FA Cup after replacing Gabriel.
Eze had a shot well saved as the clock wound down, before Havertz had a brief sighting of goal after good play from Madueke and Odegaard but again, the shot was blocked with Portsmouth battling for pride late on.
Arsenal didn’t have everything their own way at Fratton Park but in the end, their quality told and three big away fixtures await – starting with Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.