Portsmouth vs Arsenal: Martinelli Hat-Trick Leads Gunners to Commanding FA Cup Victory

12 January 2026 Football

Arsenal Advance to FA Cup Fourth Round with Impressive Comeback

Arsenal secured their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a 4-1 comeback win over Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday. The match showcased the Premier League leaders’ squad depth and set-piece prowess as they continue their quest for silverware across four competitions.

Early Shock and Swift Response

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders fell behind less than three minutes into a rain-soaked contest when Colby Bishop slammed Pompey in front. However, the setback proved temporary. Andre Dozzell’s own goal quickly levelled the tie following an Eberechi Eze corner. Arsenal took the lead in the 25th minute through Gabriel Martinelli’s header from another corner kick, demonstrating their dominance from set pieces.

Martinelli’s Redemption Performance

Gabriel Martinelli responded to his recent criticism by scoring a hat-trick, marking his first senior hat-trick. The Brazilian winger had faced scrutiny following Thursday’s match against Liverpool, but delivered a commanding performance. Martinelli struck either side of Noni Madueke’s penalty miss to put the Gunners in control, completing his treble in the 72nd minute. His second goal came from a Gabriel Jesus cross, whilst his third arrived via another corner kick.

Squad Depth on Display

Arsenal made 10 changes from their tired team against Liverpool but still named a side including Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Martinelli. The match also marked significant milestones, with 16-year-old centre back Marli Salmon becoming their youngest ever FA Cup participant when he entered in the 76th minute, whilst Kai Havertz returned from injury.

Looking Ahead

The victory continues Arsenal’s unbeaten run against Portsmouth spanning 22 meetings, stretching back 67 years to 1958. For Arsenal, this represents an important step in their quest to add to their record 14 FA Cup triumphs. The Gunners now face a demanding schedule with four away matches across four different competitions in the coming days, including a Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.