Gunners Survive Early FA Cup Scare

Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth, which was not always as comfortable as the scoreline might suggest.

Mikel Arteta made 10 changes to his starting line-up, with Gabriel the only player to retain his place after the 0-0 draw against Liverpool. Portsmouth took a shock but deservedly took the lead after just three minutes before Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Martinelli both scored from corners to ease tensions, although Noni Madueke’s missed penalty did not help matters.

Arsenal improved after the break, led by a Martinelli tap-in and completing his hat-trick from another corner, and ultimately showed quality to finish the game in routine fashion.

*Notes provided by FotMob*

GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga—6.7: He looked nervous at the start and probably should have done better for Pompey’s goal. David Raya’s position remains secure.

RB: Ben White—6.9: He really stood out for his technical quality and had a real impact on the future with his long passes. It’s hard to see him spending too much time outside of Arteta’s preferred starting lineup.

CB: Christian Nørgaard—6.9: Comfortable out of position. Appreciated the hard work defensively and looked relaxed in possession, keeping Arsenal moving with some smart fades from the back.

CB: Gabriel—6.3: Busier than expected and didn’t always cover themselves in glory as Portsmouth put some serious pressure in the air.

CEO: Myles Lewis-Skelly—6.1: Portsmouth were clearly targeting the youngster and looking to exploit his relatively limited physicality. The youngster fought against his combative opponents.

DM: Mikel Mérinos—7.6: Kind and relaxed from the base of midfield as he got things going. Strong in the tackle to stop Portsmouth on the counter.

CM: Eberechi Eze—6.8: Finishing the first half with just 12 touches speaks volumes about Eze’s composure. A truly disappointing performance as he failed to engage in the proceedings at all.

CM: Ethan Nwaneri—6.6: Flashes of genius from the youngster, but Nwaneri still looked a little rusty at times. Precious minutes for the 18-year-old even if things didn’t always go as planned.

AD: Noni Madueke—7.7: The sequence of winning a penalty and then slotting it wide really sums up Madueke’s mixed performance. Physically intimidated for the first goal, but made up for it with two assists from corners.

ST: Gabriel Jesus—7.3: Offered very little in the first half but showed his quality with an excellent assist for Martinelli at the start of the second half.

AG: Gabriel Martinelli—9.6: He scored his goals well and could easily have scored two or three more in a performance that was as exciting as it was frustrating at times. Ruthlessly efficient in corners.

Unused subs: David Raya (GK), Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres.

Portsmouth (4-2-3-1)

Starting XI: Joseph Bursik; Terry Devlin, Regan Poole, Conor Shaughnessy, Zak Swanson; André Dozzell, Luke Le Roux; Adrian Segečić, Conor Chaplin, Harvey Blair; Colby Bishop.

Submarines used: Franco Umeh, Connor Ogilvie, Marlon Pack, Jordan Williams, John Swift.

Player of the match: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)

Portsmouth had a lively start to the match and even found themselves in front in just three minutes.

Noni Madueke gave away possession too easily and a fizzed cross into the box was met by Conor Chaplin. The midfielder’s strike was parried by Kepa Arrizabalaga, who perhaps should have done better than pushing the ball into the path of Colby Bishop to score the opener.

Luckily for Arsenal, they didn’t stay behind for long. Just five minutes later, Nørgaard headed home from a corner, sending the ball past Portsmouth midfielder Andre Dozzell and over the line.

Arsenal settled into possession but failed to live up to expectations early on, with Mikel Arteta visibly furious at his side’s lack of ingenuity. And yet the Gunners led 2-1 25 minutes after Martinelli headed home from another corner.

Things began to slowly improve for Arsenal and Martinelli should have added to his tally shortly before half-time, scuffing a shot off the post with the goal gaping, but the Gunners were quick to move on and Madueke was quickly awarded a penalty after being pushed to the ground by Zak Swanson.

Madueke stepped up but, after hesitating in his stride, failed to place his shot on target as he headed wide of the post with the last notable action of a disappointing first half.

Arteta persisted with the same personnel to start the second half and celebrated a third goal for his side after six minutes, Martinelli sliding in at the far post to finish an excellent low cross from Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal were much improved in the second half – it would have been difficult not to – but Portsmouth were brave and lively, and the Gunners were well aware that they were in for a real battle.

The sight of Kai Havertz coming into the game for the final 20 minutes for his first appearance since the opening day was a welcome one for Arsenal, as was Martinelli heading into the back of the net from another corner.

Portsmouth simply couldn’t maintain their energy levels and quickly found themselves pinned down by Arsenal, who kept possession and led the game comfortably to book their place in the next round.

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