Martinelli scores hat-trick as Arsenal beat Portsmouth
Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Portsmouth comfortably at Fratton Park and progress to the FA Cup fourth round.
After FA Cup shocks involving Wrexham and Macclesfield earlier this weekend, it looked as if the Gunners, who made 10 changes to their starting line-up, could be on the end of another when Colby Bishop put the Championship hosts ahead after three minutes.
But Arsenal were only behind for five minutes before Christian Norgaard forced the ball in via Portsmouth's Andre Dozzell after a trademark Gunners corner to level.
That goal settled the visitors down and they took the lead from another set-piece when Martinelli flicked Noni Madueke's corner into the net after 25 minutes.
Maduke had a chance to add a third from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Zak Swanson but the England international dragged the ball wide.
Martinelli, who also hit the post and missed a good chance in the first half, added a third after Gabriel Jesus played a low cross into the area following some quick thinking by Myles Lewis-Skelly and the Brazilian tapped in from close range.
Martinelli grabbed his third from another Arsenal corner when the forward flicked the ball on from the near post and into the net.
There was then a piece of history when at 16 years and 135 days defender Marli Salmon became the youngest player to feature for the Gunners in the FA Cup.
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It has been a mixed season for Martinelli - who was heavily criticised for an altercation with injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during the week.
But the winger will hope his first hat-trick for the Gunners will be the boost he needs, as Arsenal attempt to win major silverware for the first time since their 2020 FA Cup success.
Martinelli has lost his place as a regular starter in the Premier League but has excelled in the Champions League, scoring five goals in his five appearances in the competition.
The fight for places has gone up a notch this season, with more depth in the squad after eight summer signings - including forwards Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
That depth allowed Arteta to make 10 changes and still name a team featuring Spain international Mikel Merino, plus England internationals Madueke and Eze.
Key centre back Gabriel Magalhaes was the only player to keep his place from the draw against Liverpool on Thursday.
Merino, captain for the day, was one of Arsenal's best performers at Fratton Park. Again asked to play in an unfamiliar deep-lying midfield role, the 29-year-old used his experience to do an important job.
Alongside the positives of the win, the hat-trick for Martinelli and minutes for squad players, Arteta was able to welcome back Kai Havertz as the forward featured for the first time since picking up a knee injury on the opening day of the season.
This was the first of four away games in four different competitions for the Gunners - and it is a sign of how successful their season has been so far that they still have so much to play for.
What next?
Arsenal take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday. Portsmouth's next game is on Saturday against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
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FA Cup Scores & Fixtures
Sunday 11th January
Team Lineups
home team, Portsmouth
Manager:John Mousinho
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
home team, Portsmouth
away team, Arsenal
Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
away team, Arsenal
home team, Portsmouth
Manager:John Mousinho
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
away team, Arsenal
Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
Starting lineup
Substitutes
Match Officials
- Referee:
- Tony Harrington
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Steven Meredith
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Sian Massey-Ellis
- Fourth Official:
- Leigh Doughty
Match Stats
Key, Portsmouth v ArsenalBasic Stats
Overall possession
Shots
Portsmouth 13Arsenal 15Shots on target
Portsmouth 5Arsenal 4Total touches inside the opposition box
Portsmouth 19Arsenal 45Goalkeeper saves
Portsmouth 1Arsenal 4Aerial duels won
Portsmouth 18Arsenal 9Fouls committed
Portsmouth 16Arsenal 9Corners
Portsmouth 6Arsenal 8In-depth match stats
Attack
Shots
Portsmouth 13Arsenal 15Shots on target
Portsmouth 5Arsenal 4Shots off target
Portsmouth 3Arsenal 5Attempts out of box
Portsmouth 4Arsenal 3Hit woodwork
Portsmouth 0Arsenal 1Total offsides
Portsmouth 1Arsenal 5Distribution
Total passes
Portsmouth 273Arsenal 441Pass accuracy %
Portsmouth 72.9Arsenal 84.1Backward passes
Portsmouth 52Arsenal 70Forward passes
Portsmouth 105Arsenal 153Total long balls
Portsmouth 63Arsenal 45Successful final third passes
Portsmouth 38Arsenal 80Total crosses
Portsmouth 16Arsenal 14Defence
Total tackles
Portsmouth 17Arsenal 9Won tackle %
Portsmouth 58.8Arsenal 55.6Fouls committed
Portsmouth 16Arsenal 9Total yellow cards
Portsmouth 1Arsenal 2Total clearances
Portsmouth 29Arsenal 19Season so far
FA Cup
Goals scored
Portsmouth 1Arsenal 8Form guide
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Previous meetings
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Played67
Previous scores
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FA Cup
Premier League
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Match Facts
Portsmouth are winless in their last 22 games against Arsenal in all competitions (D8 L14) since a 5-4 win in March 1958. Only against Chelsea (31 between 1962 and 2012) have they ever had a longer winless run.
Arsenal have progressed from all four of their FA Cup ties against Portsmouth, in 1931-32, 1970-71, 2003-04 and 2019-20. They’ve only faced Brighton and Leyton Orient in more ties with a 100% success rate (5/5).
Portsmouth have lost their last three FA Cup third round ties, and their last five FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition since beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 2009-10 semi-final.
Arsenal have been eliminated from the FA Cup third round in each of the last two seasons, albeit against Premier League opposition in Liverpool and Man Utd. They haven’t gone out at this stage in more consecutive campaigns since a run of four between 1938-39 and 1947-48.
Since winning the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge in 2019-20, Arsenal have gone out of the competition in either the third round (3 times) or fourth round (twice) in the last five campaigns.