Arsenal shrugged off an early scare to deliver a commanding 4–1 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, with Gabriel Martinelli producing a stunning hat-trick to drive the Premier League leaders into the next stage of the competition.
The tie at Fratton Park began in dramatic fashion when Championship side Portsmouth stunned Arsenal, taking the lead inside just three minutes through Colby Bishop’s finish, capitalising on a shaky moment from the visitors.
However, Arsenal responded quickly and decisively. Just five minutes after conceding, Portsmouth defender Andre Dozzell inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from an Arsenal set-piece, levelling the score and setting the tone for a comeback.
Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli then put Arsenal ahead in the 25th minute, rising to head home from a well-worked corner as the Gunners began to assert control.
The second half saw Arsenal extend their advantage further when Martinelli slid in to finish from close range after an incisive low cross from Gabriel Jesus, giving Arsenal a 3–1 lead that the visitors would not relinquish.
Martinelli completed his first senior hat-trick for Arsenal in the 72nd minute, again finishing with a headed effort from another corner delivery, sealing a comprehensive win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
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Despite Noni Madueke missing a penalty late in the first half — spurning a chance to make it 3–1 earlier — Arsenal’s dominance from set-pieces and overall quality ensured they controlled the game from midway through the first half onwards.
The victory marks Arsenal’s return to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in three seasons, underlining their determination to compete for silverware across competitions this term.
Arteta opted to rotate his squad heavily but still produced a performance that highlighted the depth and cohesion of his squad, with the team scoring three goals from dead-ball situations and showing resilience after the early setback.
For Portsmouth, the result brings their cup journey to an end but offered moments of promise, particularly in the early stages, before Arsenal’s firepower proved too much to contain.
