Martinelli Treble Rescues Arsenal After Early Scare at Fratton Park

The magic and unpredictability of the FA Cup were on full display at Fratton Park as Arsenal navigated a turbulent opening to eventually overpower a resilient Portsmouth side. On a weekend where the ghosts of “giant-killings” haunted several Premier League elites, the Gunners initially looked like they might become the latest headline victim. However, a masterclass in clinical finishing from Gabriel Martinelli ensured that Mikel Arteta’s experimental side silenced the home crowd and booked their passage into the fourth round.

Arteta’s decision to rotate his squad heavily was nearly punished before the visitors had even broken a sweat. With ten changes to the starting eleven, the lack of early cohesion was glaringly evident. Portsmouth, sensing blood, swarmed the Gunners from the first whistle. Just three minutes into the contest, the stadium erupted as Colby Bishop pounced on a defensive lapse, firing the Championship side into a shock lead. It was the nightmare start Arteta had feared, and for a brief period, the ghosts of Arsenal’s past cup failures seemed to linger in the air.

The hallmark of this modern Arsenal side, however, is their ability to recalibrate under pressure. They did not allow the Fratton Park atmosphere to swallow them whole. Instead, they found an equalizer within two minutes of the restart. A set-piece proved to be the undoing of the hosts as Christian Norgaard attacked a well-placed corner. Amidst the goalmouth scramble, the ball was diverted into the net via Portsmouth’s Andre Dozzell, a stroke of luck that provided the Gunners the mental reset they desperately needed.

Once the score was level, the technical gulf between the two tiers of English football began to manifest. Gabriel Martinelli, who appeared a level above everyone else on the pitch, spearheaded the turnaround. In the 25th minute, the Brazilian showcased his predatory instincts, cleverly flicking a Noni Madueke delivery past the goalkeeper to put Arsenal in the lead for the first time. It was a goal born of intelligence and movement, qualities the Portsmouth backline struggled to contain all evening.

The scoreline could have been more emphatic before the interval had Noni Madueke made the most of a golden opportunity from twelve yards out. The England international, who had won the penalty after being fouled by Zak Swanson, failed to convert his effort, dragging the ball wide of the post. The miss provided Portsmouth with a glimmer of hope heading into the dressing room, but it was a hope that Martinelli was determined to extinguish in the second half.

The second half became the Gabriel Martinelli show. The Brazilian was relentless, finding pockets of space that simply shouldn’t have existed. His second goal arrived courtesy of a swift attacking sequence initiated by the precocious teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly. The youngster’s quick thinking found Gabriel Jesus, who provided a pinpoint low cross for Martinelli to tap home. It was a goal that effectively broke the spirit of the hosts, as Arsenal’s superior fitness and tactical discipline took full control of the tie.

The crowning moment for the winger came shortly after, as he rose to meet another corner at the near post. A glancing header found the back of the net to complete a brilliant hat-trick, cementing his status as the man of the match. While Portsmouth fought valiantly until the final whistle, the game had transitioned into an exhibition for Arsenal’s depth and individual quality. Martinelli’s treble was a timely reminder of his importance to the squad, particularly as the club balances domestic and European ambitions.

Beyond the hat-trick, the night held historical significance for the Arsenal academy. Mikel Arteta continued his trend of blooding young talent by handing a debut to Marli Salmon. At just 16 years and 135 days, Salmon became the youngest player to ever represent the Gunners in the FA Cup. His introduction was more than just a ceremonial gesture; it served as another validation of the club’s flourishing youth system and Arteta’s willingness to trust the next generation in high-stakes environments.

As the final whistle blew, the relief among the travelling Arsenal supporters was palpable. Having watched other top-flight teams crumble against lower-league opposition throughout the weekend, the Gunners’ professional recovery was a statement of intent. They survived the early shock, adjusted their tempo, and ultimately dictated the terms of the engagement. The 10 changes to the lineup may have invited early chaos, but the depth of the squad eventually shone through.

Arsenal now turn their attention to the fourth-round draw, having avoided a potential banana skin with relative ease in the end. For Portsmouth, the defeat ends a spirited run, but the early minutes of the match will serve as a reminder of their ability to compete with the country’s best. For Gabriel Martinelli, the match was a personal triumph—a three-goal haul that ensures he remains at the forefront of the conversation as Arsenal continue their pursuit of silverware this season.