Martinelli Hat-Trick Powers Arsenal Past Portsmouth 4-1 in FA Cup

PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND — In a thrilling FA Cup third-round encounter at the historic Fratton Park, Arsenal staged a remarkable comeback, transforming a potential upset into a commanding 4-1 victory powered by Gabriel Martinelli's sublime hat-trick.

Portsmouth stunned the traveling Arsenal supporters when Colby Bishop fired them into a shock lead after just three minutes. The striker pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard box, drilling a right-footed effort into the high centre of the goal that sent the home faithful into raptures. The early goal epitomized Portsmouth's fearless approach, as they pressed high and hassled Arsenal's defenders from the first whistle, looking to create a memorable cup upset.

Arsenal's response was swift and decisive. The equalizer came through an unfortunate deflection when Andre Dozzell inadvertently turned a cross into his own net in the eighth minute, restoring parity and allowing the visitors to settle into their rhythm. From that moment, Arsenal's class began to assert itself, dominating possession with 61.2% of the ball and gradually pushing Portsmouth deeper into their defensive third.

Martinelli announced himself as the match's protagonist in the 25th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet Noni Madueke's pinpoint corner cross. The Brazilian's header from the right side of the six-yard box nestled into the centre of the goal, showcasing the clinical finishing that has made him such a valuable asset for Mikel Arteta's side. The goal capped a period of sustained Arsenal pressure, with the Gunners creating several half-chances through their patient build-up play.

The second half belonged entirely to Martinelli and Arsenal's attacking prowess. Just six minutes after the restart, the winger doubled his tally with a predatory finish from very close range. Gabriel Jesus provided the assist with a teasing cross following a set piece situation, and Martinelli was on hand to slot home with his right foot into the bottom left corner. The goal demonstrated Arsenal's superior movement in the final third, with multiple players making intelligent runs to stretch Portsmouth's defense.

Arsenal's tactical superiority became increasingly evident as the match progressed. Despite Portsmouth's admirable effort in registering five shots on target compared to Arsenal's four, the visitors' quality in possession and movement off the ball proved decisive. The Gunners registered 15 shots overall, with Kepa Arrizabalaga making four saves to Josef Bursik's solitary stop, highlighting the gulf in attacking threat between the two sides.

The coup de grâce arrived in the 72nd minute when Martinelli completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion. Once again, it was Madueke who provided the ammunition, whipping in another dangerous cross following a corner kick. Martinelli rose highest at the right side of the six-yard box, powering his header into the high centre of the goal to seal a memorable treble and effectively end Portsmouth's resistance.

Portsmouth's spirited performance deserved credit, particularly their early intensity and willingness to take the game to their Premier League opponents. Terry Devlin forced a fine save from Kepa with a long-range effort in the 78th minute, while Colby Bishop remained a constant threat throughout the encounter. However, the quality gap ultimately proved insurmountable as Arsenal's superior technical ability and tactical discipline shone through.

The match statistics told the story of Arsenal's dominance. The visitors enjoyed territorial advantage and created the clearer chances despite Portsmouth's brave showing. The home side's 16 fouls compared to Arsenal's nine reflected their physical approach to disrupting the visitors' rhythm, but ultimately couldn't prevent the inevitable outcome.

Looking ahead, Arsenal will travel to face London rivals Chelsea on January 24 in what promises to be a fascinating FA Cup fourth-round encounter. For Portsmouth, despite the defeat, they can reflect on a spirited performance that showcased their fighting spirit and ability to compete with top-tier opposition.

Martinelli's hat-trick will undoubtedly be the headline, but this was a comprehensive team performance that demonstrated Arsenal's depth, tactical flexibility, and championship mentality in a challenging cup tie.