Mikel Arteta commented on his rotation policy against **Portsmouth**in the FA Cup.
**Arsenal**defeated Pompey 4-1 at **Fratton Park**thanks to a hat-trick from Gabriel Martinelli and an own goal at another set-piece. The team have now booked a spot in the fourth round of the world’s oldest cup competition for the first time in three seasons after exits to **Man United**and Liverpool.
On top of that, the Gunners have managed to rest and rotate heavily ahead of the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against **Chelsea**at Stamford Bridge. The manager was able to make more history with a debut in this tournament and also welcome back a key member of his attacking unit.
“When we make that many changes there is an element of cohesion that is not going to be as perfect as we want. We started the game exactly how we didn't want to, giving them momentum and an early goal and hope, and then we had to fight it back.
“Credit to them because they made it difficult for us especially in the early stages of the game. The more we started to do the simple thing right, and be a little more dominant, then the quality took over.
*“We had really positive things, winning the match and being in the next round – Kai Havertz after so many months and all the effort that he's put in to be back fit and looking like he's done, Marli Salmon as well making his debut in the FA Cup, and a lot of players making minutes that they need as well.*
*“[**Ethan Nwaneri*] deserved that. Because of the strength of the squad and the players that are in the positions, he hasn't been able to play. Today he's done it, and I think he had some very good minutes.”