Martinelli Hat Trick Seals Arsenal 4-1 FA Cup Win at Portsmouth | OneFootball

Arsenal’s FA Cup Authority Shines After Early Portsmouth Shock

The FA Cup has a habit of testing reputations, particularly when elite clubs travel to grounds steeped in history and defiance. Fratton Park offered exactly that challenge, and for three minutes it appeared Portsmouth might add another chapter to the weekend’s growing list of shocks. Instead, Arsenal responded with composure, quality, and ultimately a 4 to 1 victory that reaffirmed their depth and ambition.

Portsmouth struck first through Colby Bishop, capitalising on early uncertainty after Arsenal made ten changes to their starting line up. The noise inside Fratton Park swelled, memories of famous cup nights stirred, and for a fleeting moment the competition’s romance threatened to take hold. Yet Arsenal’s response was swift and telling.

Early Set Pieces Shift Momentum

The equaliser arrived almost immediately and carried a familiar feel. A trademark Arsenal corner caused chaos, Christian Norgaard forcing the ball goalwards via Andre Dozzell. The goal did more than level the score, it steadied Arsenal’s tempo and quietened the home crowd.

Set pieces soon became Portsmouth’s undoing. Another corner, this time delivered by Noni Madueke, found Gabriel Martinelli at the near post. The Brazilian’s deft flick sent the ball beyond the goalkeeper and Arsenal were ahead within 25 minutes.

The Gunners sensed control. Madueke almost extended the lead from the penalty spot after being brought down by Zak Swanson, but dragged his effort wide. It proved a rare blemish on an otherwise assured display.

Martinelli Leads Arsenal Response

Martinelli’s influence grew with each phase of the game. He struck the post, missed a presentable chance, yet never drifted from the contest. That persistence was rewarded after the break. Quick thinking from Myles Lewis Skelly sparked the move, Gabriel Jesus delivered a low cross, and Martinelli arrived to tap home from close range.

The third goal reflected Arsenal’s attacking clarity. Movement was sharp, decisions were made early, and Portsmouth were stretched beyond recovery. The fourth, and Martinelli’s hat trick, came fittingly from another corner. Once again he attacked the near post, flicking the ball into the net to underline Arsenal’s dominance.

This was an FA Cup tie shaped by precision rather than panic. After falling behind, Arsenal never appeared rattled, instead trusting structure, rotation, and technique.

Youth and History Mark FA Cup Night

Beyond the scoreline, the evening carried a note of history. At 16 years and 135 days, defender Marli Salmon became the youngest Arsenal player to feature in the FA Cup. It was a moment that spoke to Arsenal’s long standing belief in youth, even on a night where experience and composure decided the contest.

For Portsmouth, the defeat will sting, but the early goal and atmosphere created reflected pride and endeavour. For Arsenal, this was a reminder that the FA Cup demands respect, focus, and the ability to recover from disruption.

Winning 4-1 away from home, after conceding early, with a heavily rotated side, speaks to squad depth and clarity of purpose. Martinelli’s hat trick will take the headlines, but Arsenal’s calm response to adversity ensured their progression to the fourth round without drama.