Arsenal were behind within three minutes at Portsmouth but quickly got back level and never looked back with Gabriel Martinelli scoring three of their four as they made the fourth round of the FA Cup
Gabriel Martinelli bagged himself a hat-trick at Fratton Park
Gabriel Martinelli bagged himself a hat-trick at Fratton Park(Image: )
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Gabriel Martinelli was cast as the arch villain just three days ago. But Martinelli was Arsenal’s FA Cup hero this time with a sensational hat trick to ensure a comfortable passage into the fourth round for Mikel Arteta’s men.
Incredibly, Arsenal have gone out at the first hurdle in the past two seasons but there were no slip-ups at Fratton Park despite Arteta making ten changes to his starting line-up.
And it was Martinelli, who was lambasted after pushing injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch on Thursday night, who really seized his chance to write his own script.
Mind you, the travelling 3,000 Arsenal fans were quick to chant what they thought about Gary Neville after the Sky pundit had been particularly brutal about Martinelli’s actions against Liverpool. Martinelli is a speedy Brazilian winger but even he has got Arsenal’s set-piece bug because two of his goals were near post headers from Noni Madueke corners.
Incredibly, that makes it 17 set-piece goals for Arsenal this season and they set another record when teenager Marli Salmon came on as a second half substitute for Gabriel who was the only survivor from the starting line-up against Liverpool.
Gunners academy starlet Salmon, aged 16 years and 135 days, became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in the FA Cup, surpassing Gedion Zelalem who was 16 years and 363 in January 2024. There was also a welcome return for fit-again Kai Havertz as a second half substitute and it has come just at the right time for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Gunners boss Arteta is still in the hunt for four trophies - they are also in the semi finals of the Carabao Cup at Chelsea on Tuesday as well as being in the title race and Champions League - but the FA Cup is the only trophy he has won since taking charge in 2019.
Arsenal have won the FA Cup a record 14 times but, with so many games, it was understandable they rolled the dice with wholesale changes. However, Arsenal’s did look a bit slack and disinterested in the opening stages. It was Madueke who gave the ball away which led to Portsmouth’s opening goal as the Championship strugglers had the temerity to take a third minute lead.
Arsenal recovered impressively after going down to an early Portsmouth goal
Arsenal recovered impressively after going down to an early Portsmouth goal(Image: )
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Harvey Blair’s ball into the box fell for Conor Chaplin and his shot was beaten away by Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. It fell straight to Pompey captain Colby Bishop who smashed home and this wonderful old ground came to life again. But Arsenal were level five minutes later. Eberechi Eze’s corner caused chaos amid a mass of bodies in the six yard box.
It was eventually deflected in off Andre Dozzell - son of ex-Spurs midfielder Jason - and went down as an own goal. Christian Norgaard tried to claim it but the ball had crossed the line. Then Arsenal got their second. Madueke’s near post corner was flicked on by Martinelli and the visiting fans celebrated after their team turned it round.
Arsenal then wasted chances to put the game to bed even before half time. Martinelli went clean through but curled his effort wide of the target. Then the Brazil winger hit the post when it looked easier to score.
The worst miss of the lot came after 42 minutes. ex-Arsenal youngster Zak Swanson clumsily tripped Madueke to concede a penalty. Madueke side-footed his penalty wide even after keeper Josef Bursik had gone the wrong way. Finally, Arsenal gave themselves a cushion. Gabriel Jesus’ brilliant, teasing cross from the right was on a plate for Martinelli to tap home at the back post.
Martinelli then completed his hat trick with a fourth Arsenal goal after 72 minutes. Madueke’s near post corner was flicked in by Martinelli to send the Arsenal fans home happy.
Poor Pompey finished the game with ten men as substitute Franco Umeh went off injured after the home side had used all their substitutes.
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