Martinelli hits hat-trick at Portsmouth as Arsenal progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup

Arsenal hammered Championship side Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s hat-trick.

The hosts got off to a fast start and were rewarded with an early lead inside the opening three minutes of the game after Noni Madueke lost possession and the ball was cut back from the left to Gavin Chaplin, whose shot was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Colby Bishop was there to tap home the rebound.

Pompey’s lead lasted just five minutes as Christian Norgaard drew the visitors level after Mikel Merino flicked on a corner at the near post for the Danish midfielder whose effort came off Andre Dozell.

At the other end, Harvey Blair whipped in a free kick for Bishop to meet, but his looping header was comfortably claimed by Kepa.

Minutes later, Pompey could’ve restored their lead when Blair’s low shot was parried away by Kepa and Bishop almost turned in the rebound.

In the 25th minute, the Gunners took the lead from a set-piece as Madueke sent in an inswinger cross from a corner for Martinelli to nod into the far corner.

The Brazilian had his sights on goal five minutes later, but his long-range effort curled beyond the far post.

On the stroke of halftime, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Madueke was brought down in the area by Swanson.

The Englishman stepped up to take the spot-kick, but he dragged his effort wide of the post.

Six minutes after the restart, Martinelli doubled his tally and Arsenal’s advantage after Miles Lewis-Skelly took a free-kick early, finding Gabriel Jesus, who drilled the ball across for his Brazilian compatriot to tap home.

In the 71st minute, the visitors could’ve increased the deficit after Kai Havertz found Madueke, but the winger’s deflected strike went just wide of the post.

However, a minute later, Martinelli increased the deficit and completed his hat-trick from yet again another corner as Madueke played in an inswinger cross for the Brazilian to meet, who finished beyond Bursik.