The Martinelli Redemption: A Hat-Trick of Hope as Arsenal Silence the Fratton Park Roar
For Gabriel Martinelli, the road to Fratton Park was paved with more than just the usual January frost. Following a controversial week in which the Brazilian winger faced heavy scrutiny for his role in an incident involving Liverpool’s Conor Bradley, the FA Cup Third Round felt less like a fixture and more like a trial.
By the time the final whistle blew on a wet Sunday afternoon in Portsmouth, the verdict was unanimous. With a clinical, first-senior career hat-trick, Martinelli didn’t just propel Arsenal into the fourth round; he reminded the footballing world why he remains one of the most lethal assets in Mikel Arteta’s arsenal.
A Nightmare Start for the Changed Gunners
Mikel Arteta, eyeing a deep run in four competitions, took the calculated risk of making 10 changes to the side that had ground out a stalemate against Liverpool just days prior. With Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts and a midfield featuring the emerging Ethan Nwaneri, the “Set-Piece FC” identity was there, but the rhythm was missing.
Portsmouth, backed by a raucous home crowd sensing a giant-killing, didn’t wait to be invited. Inside just two minutes, the Championship side drew first blood. Harvey Blair’s low cross caused chaos in the box, and while Kepa managed to parry Connor Chaplin’s initial strike, he could only push it into the path of Colby Bishop. The Pompey skipper made no mistake, thumping the ball home to send the home fans into a frenzy.
For 20 minutes, Arsenal looked like a team of strangers. The wind and rain of the south coast seemed to favor the underdogs, who pressed with an intensity that left the Premier League leaders reeling.
The Set-Piece Salvation
Arsenal’s season has been defined by their dominance from dead-ball situations, and it was the brilliance of Nicolas Jover’s coaching that eventually settled the nerves.
In the 8th minute, a corner swung in by Eberechi Eze caused a scramble. Christian Norgaard thought he had claimed the equalizer, but replays showed the ball took a decisive deflection off Portsmouth’s Andre Dozzell. It was a cruel blow for the hosts, but for Arsenal, it was the lifeline they needed.
With the scores level, the “Martinelli Show” began. In the 25th minute, another set-piece—this time a perfectly weighted inswinger from Noni Madueke—found Martinelli at the near post. The Brazilian, showing elite movement, glanced a header past Josef Bursik to complete the turnaround.
Drama Before the Break
The game should have been put to bed before halftime. Martinelli, buzzing with newfound confidence, struck the woodwork from close range after a pinpoint delivery from Ben White.
Moments later, Madueke was brought down in the box by Zak Swanson. The England international stepped up to take the penalty himself but dragged his effort wide of the post. The miss gave Portsmouth a glimmer of hope heading into the tunnel, but it was a hope that would be short-lived.
The Second Half: Clinical Martinelli
If the first half was about survival, the second was about a statement.
The Second Goal (50th minute): The third goal arrived through a blend of youth and experience. Myles Lewis-Skelly, showing wisdom beyond his years, took a quick free-kick that caught the Pompey defense napping. He released Gabriel Jesus down the right flank, who squared a perfect ball across the face of the goal. Martinelli, arriving with impeccable timing, tapped home for his second of the afternoon.
The Match Ball (71st minute): The hat-trick was completed in a manner that will surely please Arteta. Yet another corner from Madueke was met by Martinelli, who outmuscled his marker to nod the ball into the roof of the net. It was his first treble in an Arsenal shirt and the first by any Gunner in the FA Cup since Theo Walcott in 2017.
A Historical Debut: Enter Marli Salmon
While Martinelli took the headlines, the final ten minutes offered a glimpse into Arsenal’s future. Mikel Arteta handed a debut to Marli Salmon, who, at 16 years and 135 days, became the youngest player to ever represent Arsenal in the FA Cup.
The youngster’s arrival coincided with the withdrawal of Martinelli, who left the pitch to a standing ovation from the traveling fans—a stark contrast to the social media vitriol he had endured earlier in the week.
What’s Next for the Gunners?
The 4-1 victory keeps Arsenal’s hopes of a historic quadruple alive. While the performance wasn’t flawless—Portsmouth’s early dominance exposed some rustiness in the rotational squad—the depth of the roster is clear.
Key Takeaways:
- Martinelli’s Mentality: To respond to heavy personal criticism with a hat-trick is the mark of a player with elite mental fortitude.
- Set-Piece Dominance: Arsenal have now scored 22 goals from set-pieces this season across all competitions.
- Rotational Success: Arteta was able to rest the likes of Saka and Saliba entirely ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
As the FA Cup moves into the fourth round, Arsenal looks like the team to beat. They possess the grit to survive an early scare at a stadium like Fratton Park and the clinical edge to punish any mistake. For Gabriel Martinelli, however, this wasn’t just about a trophy hunt; it was about reclaiming his narrative.