Arteta on Martinelli’s ‘personality’, Havertz’s return and Hincapie’s injury after Arsenal beat Portsmouth in FA Cup | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta praised the “personality” of Gabriel Martinelli after the forward was heavily criticised following Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool.

Martinelli was widely criticised for trying to push an injured Conor Bradley off of the pitch during Arsenal’s goalless draw with Liverpool on Thursday.

But the Brazilian scored a hat-trick to fire Arsenal through to the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 win over Portsmouth.

And Arteta says Martinelli’s ability to shut out the noise and focus on his performance was not surprising.

“It’s part of football and then it’s how you take it,” Arteta said.

“But he knew inside the reason why he did what he did. I think Arne Slot spoke brilliantly after the game, speaking of your opponent in the manner that he explained the situation and the fact that Gabi had no intention whatsoever to damage any player.

“And yeah, that’s personality. Come in and talk on the pitch, which is the best part of it.

“That’s why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad, it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game. And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count.

“In every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn’t play. He performs well, not well. Today, he scored three goals. Tomorrow, he’s going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He’s not going to change that. And that’s Gabi.”

Arsenal were also handed another positive during the game, with Kai Havertz featuring off the bench for the first time since August.

“Yeah, we had some great, positive things today,” Arteta said on Havertz’s return. “Obviously, winning the match and being in the next round. Kai, 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 needed as well.”

Piero Hincapie was not involved in the squad after coming off injured against Liverpool and Arteta says he is waiting to hear more on the defender.

“Probably tomorrow we’ll know a little bit more,” Arteta said. “Obviously he had to come off which is never a good sign, but hopefully it’s not too much.”