Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal (Jan 11, 2026) Game Analysis
Gabriel Martinelli made headlines for all the right reasons by scoring a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame an early scare to beat Championship struggling Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup third round.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders fell behind less than three minutes into a rain-soaked match at Fratton Park when Pompey captain Colby Bishop finished from close range.
Andre Dozzell’s own goal quickly equalized before Brazilian striker Martinelli struck either side of Noni Madueke’s missed penalty to put the Gunners in control.
Martinelli, who was widely criticized for trying to push the injured Conor Bradley off the field during Thursday night’s goalless draw against Liverpool, completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute.
The Brazilian striker also missed an open goal at 2-1 as 14-time cup winners Arsenal started four consecutive away games in four different competitions by reaching the fourth round for the first time in three seasons.
Manager Arteta made 10 changes for the visit to Hampshire, while injury-hit Portsmouth made four to the side beaten 5-0 at Bristol City on New Year’s Day.
The fiery home fans created a raucous atmosphere from the first whistle and were rewarded with a surprise first match.
Following good work from Harvey Blair on the left, Conor Chaplin’s initial effort was only parried by Gunners goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, leaving Pompey striker Bishop to tap in the rebound for his first goal since August.
Portsmouth – one point above the Championship relegation zone – had not beaten Arsenal in 22 previous meetings between the clubs, dating back to 1958, and were pegged back in scrappy fashion five minutes later.
Eberechi Eze’s corner from the left caused confusion in the hosts’ box and Dozzell – the son of former Tottenham midfielder Jason – diverted the ball into his own net under pressure from Christian Norgaard.
Striker Blair threatened as Portsmouth continued to make life uncomfortable for their opponents.
But Arsenal showed their power again from set pieces in the 25th minute when Martinelli headed Madueke’s corner from the right, although replays suggested a goal kick should have been awarded.
Martinelli curled narrowly after a superb through ball from Mikel Merino before somehow colliding with the left post with the goal gaping after Ben White’s low cross from the right.
Arsenal’s profligacy persisted. After facing a challenge from former Gunners youth player Zak Swanson, Madueke fired wide from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute, at the end of a stuttering run.
Two-time FA Cup winners Portsmouth returned for the second half with plenty of optimism after the losing streak.
Chaplin saw a close-range effort blocked after a corner before Martinelli doubled his tally in the 51st minute by sliding in at the far post to volley home Gabriel Jesus’ low cross from the right in front of the 3,000 away fans.
Injury-plagued Gunners striker Kai Havertz came on for the final 21 minutes to make his first appearance since the opening weekend.
And Portsmouth’s resistance received a fatal blow three minutes later.
Arsenal again took advantage of a corner, with Martinelli collecting the match ball as it slipped through the hands of Pompey keeper Josef Bursik and into the roof of the net after another delivery from Madueke.