**Arsenal**have achieved progress into the fourth round of the **FA Cup**for the first time since 2023.
The Premier League leaders were under greater pressure than the score might suggest, but they still dispatched of **Portsmouth**thanks to three goals from corners and a hat-trick for Gabriel Martinelli.
Story of the Match
John Mousinho changed three members of the starting eleven he picked in a 5-0 loss on New Year’s Day against Bristol City in the Championship. Ibane Bowat made way for Harvey Blair as the left winger while Conor Chaplin came in for John Swift as the central attacking midfielder. Colby Bishop, who had not scored since August, started as the striker instead of Kirk Makenzie.
Mikel Arteta made multiple changes to his lineup after the 0-0 draw with Liverpool. Christian Norgaard dropped into central defence next to Gabriel Magalhaes while **Ben White**and Myles Lewis-Skelly started as fullbacks. Mikel Merino was in a midfield unit with Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri. Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus acted as a front three.
Mousinho’s men refused to be overawed by the occasion, and they immediately shocked their more fancied opposition. Madueke was hassled by his marker, turning over the ball deep in his half of the field. Blair brought the ball under his spell, shifted inside, and fed a pass to Chaplin, who tested Kepa Arrizabalaga. The shot stopper saved the strike, but Bishop was present to convert the rebound.
The guests would not remain behind for too long. Martinelli forced the issue down the left wing, and **Arsenal**earned a set-piece. Eze whipped a corner kick delivery towards the near post, where both Brazilian forwards fought for the ball in the air. Magalhaes then forced another aerial duel, and the ball dropped for Norgaard to scrappily scramble into the back of the net: the Gunners were level.
Yet, Pompey would not be deterred. Typified by the attitude of Terry Devlin, they continued to crash into challenges and try to unnerve their Premier League opponents. Kepa looked a little uncertain between the posts and Lewis-Skelly seemed to be a pressure point that **Portsmouth**were targeting.
In the end, a familiar friend bailed out the visitors from a tight spot. Madueke prepared to sling another set-piece into the penalty area, and Martinelli made the decisive move. He attacked the ball before Josef Bursik could punch the cross away, and the forward registered his first **FA Cup**goal.
Big chances then came the way of the visitors. Jesus swivelled to his right, and White fizzed a cross along the face of the goal, where Martinelli failed to find the back of the net, grazing the post.
As **Arsenal**remained in the ascendancy, another opportunity presented itself to take complete control of the contest. Madueke kept gunning down the wing, breaking into the box and drawing a foul from **Zak Swanson**to earn a penalty. The attacker dusted himself down, preparing to strike from twelve yards to try to double the advantage. Bursik went the wrong way, but Madueke missed the target.
Eventually, the Gunners would give themselves some serious breathing room. Madueke once more was at the centre of attention, earning a free kick in **Portsmouth**territory. Lewis-Skelly was switched onto the opening, breaking the lines to release Jesus on the right flank, and the Brazilian drilled a pinpoint delivery towards his compatriot Martinelli, who wrapped up his brace in the 51st minute.
Arteta was then willing to make a triple substitution, signalling the strength of his squad. Martin Odegaard replaced Nwaneri, Jurrien Timber took the place of White, and **Kai Havertz**marked his return to action for the first time since he had suffered a knee injury at **Old Trafford**in August.
Intensity had dialled down from the guests, but their threat from set-pieces continued. Madueke pulled off the same trick, forcing the issue to get a corner. Martinelli rose highest, and he scored his hat-trick.