Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal: Martinelli's 1st hat-trick for Arsenal seals victory

Though conceded at the beginning, Arsenal still achieve their win against Portsmouth by Martinelli's hat-trick.

Match Report

Gabriel Martinelli responded to his recent criticism by scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal in their 4-1 comeback win over Portsmouth to reach the FA Cup fourth round.

The Brazilian winger was criticised for his response to Conor Bradley's season-ending injury on Thursday night - but played a big part in Arsenal scoring three goals from four corners - to take their set-piece tally of the season to 22 in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta's side were, however, given an early scare by the Championship side as Colby Bishop slammed Pompey in front after just three minutes, after Kepa Arrizabalaga could only palm Conor Chaplin's strike from the edge of the box into his path.

But Arsenal were back level five minutes later through their first corner of the game. Eberechi Eze's corner was flicked on a couple of times and while Christian Norgaard finished from close range to celebrate the goal, replays showed the ball went in off unfortunate Pompey defender Andre Dozzell.

It was Arsenal's fifth own goal in their last eight games in all competitions, while Portsmouth's set piece deficiencies are no surprise, given they have conceded the second-most goals from dead ball situations out of any Championship side this season.

So while Pompey threatened to retake the lead as Kepa saved well from Bishop and Chaplin - another Gunners set piece goal came with Arsenal's second corner of the game.

Noni Madueke's delivery was nodded in by Martinelli, who found the net to respond well to his criticism to the Bradley incident on Thursday night.

Arsenal should have added to their lead as Martinelli missed two good chances - including hitting the post from a couple of yards out with the goal gaping - while Madueke won a penalty to make it 3-1 off Zak Swanson, but put his effort from 12 yards wide.

That gave Portsmouth a bit of a lift and Chaplin could have equalised for the Championship side, only for Ben White to deny him with a good block.

And two minutes after that goal-saving challenge, Arsenal did make it three as Myles Lewis-Skelly released Gabriel Jesus down the right with a quick free kick - his cross was tapped home by Martinelli for an easy tap-in.

That allowed Arsenal to ring the changes as Kai Havertz returned for his first appearance since the opening game of the season. Marli Salmon also became the youngest Arsenal player in the FA Cup at 16 years and 135 days - but only after Martinelli had nodded another Madueke corner home, in a carbon copy goal from his first of the day.

The result puts Arsenal in Monday night's fourth round draw - as the Gunners' attention turns towards Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Chelsea.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

3' GOAL! Bishop gets the rebound and scores! Portsmouth 1-0 Arsenal

8' GOAL! Nørgaard forces his opponet to net an OG! Portsmouth 1-1 Arsenal

25' GOAL! Martinelli heads the ball in as Madueke assists! Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal

31' Martinelli cuts inside and drills a shot but his effort goes wide

41' Martinelli hits his effort on the bar from a very close range!

43' Penalty Missed! Madueke sends his effort wide!

51' GOAL! Jesus sends a cross and Martinelli scores! Portsmouth 1-3 Arsenal

58' Highlight from Portsmouth vs Arsenal

69' Havertz, Timber and Odegaard on, Jesus, Ben White and Nwaneri off

72' HAT-TRICK! Martinelli nets a header following a corner! Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal

82' Highlight from Portsmouth vs Arsenal

Line-ups

Portsmouth XI: Colby Bishop, Regan Poole, Conor Chaplin, Andre Dozzell, Josef Bursik, Luke Le Roux, Shaughnessy, Zak Swanson, Terry Devlin, Adrian Segecic, Harvey Blair

Subs: Marlon Pack, John Swift, Connor Ogilvie, Ben Killip, Jordan Williams, Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Makenzie Kirk, Franco Umeh-Chibueze

Arsenal XI: Christian Nørgaard, Kepa, Merino, Jesus, Gabriel, Ben White, Eberechi Eze, Martinelli, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly

Subs: David Raya, Ødegaard, Rice, Viktor Gyökeres, Havertz, Martín Zubimendi, Saka, Timber, Marli Salmon