Martinelli Hat-Trick Fires Arsenal Past Portsmouth in Four-Goal Fightback

Gabriel Martinelli delivered a stunning hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to defeat Portsmouth 4-1 at a rain-soaked Fratton Park, booking their place in the FA Cup fourth round and reinforcing their status as one of the tournament favourites.[1][2][4]

Championship side Portsmouth, hovering just above the relegation zone, made an explosive start and shocked the Premier League leaders inside three minutes. Colby Bishop reacted quickest after Kepa Arrizabalaga could only parry Conor Chaplin’s effort, slamming in from close range to ignite a raucous home crowd and briefly raise hopes of a major upset.[1][2][4]

Arsenal, however, responded almost immediately. Five minutes after falling behind, they levelled from a corner when Eberechi Eze’s delivery caused chaos in the box and the ball deflected in off Andre Dozzell for an own goal, cancelling out Portsmouth’s early advantage and restoring a measure of calm to Mikel Arteta’s side.[1][3][4]

The visitors then began to assert control, and their threat from set-pieces proved decisive. In the 25th minute, Martinelli rose to glance in a header from a Noni Madueke corner, turning the match on its head and exposing Portsmouth’s ongoing vulnerability from dead-ball situations, a weakness already highlighted in their Championship campaign.[1][3]

Arsenal could have tightened their grip on the tie before half-time. Martinelli missed two promising chances, including striking the post from close range, while Madueke won a penalty after being brought down by former Arsenal youth player Zak Swanson but dragged his spot-kick wide of the target.[1][3]

Those missed opportunities briefly kept Portsmouth alive. Conor Chaplin came close to an equaliser, only to be denied by a crucial Ben White block, underlining that Arsenal’s high defensive line remained vulnerable to quick transitions from the hosts.[1][3]

Any lingering tension was eased soon after the interval. Six minutes into the second half, Arsenal punished Portsmouth again, with Martinelli sliding in at the far post for his second goal of the evening after sharp attacking build-up from the right. The Brazilian’s timing and movement inside the box repeatedly proved too much for the Portsmouth back line.[3][4]

As Portsmouth’s resistance faded, Arsenal’s control grew, and Arteta began to rotate his squad. The game also offered key minutes to returning midfielder Kai Havertz, making his first appearance since the opening game of the season, a notable boost for Arsenal’s depth heading into a congested fixture schedule.[3]

The night, however, belonged to Martinelli. Midway through the second half he completed his hat-trick, once again capitalising on Portsmouth’s frailty from corners. Rising to meet another Madueke delivery, he headed through goalkeeper Josef Bursik’s hands and into the roof of the net to seal his first-ever Arsenal treble and cap a clinical individual display.[1][3][4]

Arteta was also able to hand a landmark appearance to youngster Marli Salmon, who became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in the FA Cup at 16 years and 135 days, highlighting the club’s willingness to blend academy prospects with established stars in domestic cup competitions.[3]

For Indian football fans, the result carries broader context. Arsenal, already chasing the Premier League title and competing in the Champions League, continue a serious push on all fronts, with this FA Cup win extending their momentum and underlining the importance Arteta places on rotation without sacrificing intensity.[3][4]

Portsmouth, meanwhile, exit the competition after briefly threatening an upset but ultimately being outclassed, especially from set-pieces. Their early spark and Bishop’s goal will encourage a side fighting to avoid relegation from the Championship, yet the defensive shortcomings exposed by Arsenal point to clear areas for improvement as they refocus on league survival.[1][3]

Arsenal’s 4-1 victory, built on Martinelli’s ruthless finishing and a series of well-worked corners, not only secures safe passage to the fourth round but also sends a warning to rivals that their squad depth and attacking variety remain potent as the season’s decisive months approach.[2][4][5]