Gabriel Martinelli scored three times as Arsenal defeated Portsmouth 4 1 in their opening FA Cup match of the season. The result underlined Arsenal’s strong historical record in the competition, yet it also served as a reminder that reputation alone offers no protection in knockout football.
Arsenal entered the tie as clear favourites, with expectations firmly in their favour even before kick-off. Despite this, the match began in an unexpected fashion when Portsmouth stunned the visitors by taking the lead after just three minutes through Colby Bishop. The early goal briefly raised hopes of an upset and demonstrated the dangers of underestimating lower league opposition in the FA Cup.
Early setback sparks Arsenal response
Arsenal responded swiftly and decisively, restoring parity just two minutes later when Andre Dozzell turned the ball into his own net. That equaliser proved to be the turning point, acting as the wake-up call Arsenal required. From that moment, the Gunners asserted control over the match, dominating possession and territory as anticipated.
Almost 20 minutes later, Martinelli put Arsenal ahead, shifting the momentum firmly in their favour and reinforcing the sense that the game would follow the expected pattern. Although Arsenal sit at the top of the Premier League table, the competition has a long history of surprises, something other top sides have learned in the past.
Martinelli leads after the break
Determined not to be caught out, Arsenal maintained their focus and were soon awarded a penalty. Noni Madueke stepped up but failed to convert, offering Portsmouth a brief reprieve. However, any lingering doubt was removed shortly after the interval when Martinelli scored his second goal within minutes of the restart.
Fresh legs were introduced as Arsenal looked to manage the game, yet Martinelli remained central to their attacking threat. He completed his hat trick before being substituted, capping an outstanding individual performance. His goals ensured Arsenal progressed comfortably and extended their unbeaten run against Portsmouth, delivering a professional display that matched expectations and avoided any FA Cup drama.
______________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Happy for Martinelli, two things that came up in this game that I hoped we would be able to fix with less pressure, was the inability to hit the back of the net from a great position, and the careless giving away of the ball in our own half resulting in unnecessary pressure. Bit a great response from a goal down.
Madueke needs to learn how to hold the ball better if he wants to play RW ahead of Saka, because Portsmouth’s LB stole the ball from him twice in the first twenty minutes of the game. His corner deliveries were excellent though
Martinelli’s positioning skill in corner situations seems very good. Unfortunately, he’s usually tasked to stand outside the penalty box during corner kicks, because of his pace
Jesus should be our main CF in the next EPL game, because of his superior link-up play and skills
Madueke can never play ahead of Saka
If he doubles his current output rate, Saka will still be better than him
Then his defending/helping his fullback – poor and very very far from Saka
@Gai when Matunelli just joined Arsenal Arteta used him as CF in about 3 European matches Arsenall played and he scored goals. I wonder why Arteta chose not use him again and preferred Merino as false 9. Matunelli has a good skill set to play as a striker.
HThierry started as a winger but Wenger discovered and sharppend help horn his skills as a forward. .
Arteta himself agrees Martinelli is capable of the center forward role. It’s primarily that his dramatic pace and dribbling skill make him best used as a left wing currently – we usually have at least 3 other players who are equally or even better suited as center forwards when Martinelli is also available and roles are being assigned. Next to that, our system is designed for possession and pressure, so it becomes again about who we have available for various positions through that system lens. It’s all carefully constructed.
GAI Kai will likely be that man.
From what I observed in few minutes that Kai played is his link up play. He is very good at linking attacking players and we missed that a lit
A lot
Even though Madueke missed a penalty he had good game. Very tricky player. He should get more game time
@ArsenalWhy. Fully agree.
Always challenging in his game and is often able to send dangerous crossballs in front of goal. An exciting player who is always a pleasure to watch. I don’t think Madueke disappears as much in the match as Saka is used to.
What a way for Martinelli to answer his critics.
He nusr be on top of the world, after being hung, drawn and quarted by the likes of those whiter than white pundits Keane and Neville amongst others just a few days ago.
This was a tricky tie, but we didn’t underestimate Pompey in the slightest.
Excellent squad selection by MA, although it showed how ring rusty Skelly and Nwaneri are.
Let’s hope Mikel can get past the 4th round for the first time with his own set of players and a nice home draw would be very welcome.
It’s chelsea next and I’m hoping the boss will put out our strongest squad for this game and keep the record going of just two defeats in all competitions this season.
Again, well done Martinelli – but what’s the betting we’ll have some of our own fans lamenting that it “was only Portsmouth?”
Tell that to Crystal Palace fans!!
Very happy for Nelli too. He is often underestimated.
Neville should get a grip, not that many take his feelings seriously when it comes to Arsenal commentary anyway. It’s also a bit ironic that Liverpool fans are so incensed about his bad behaviour in the Liverpool game, given their love for Suarez in his day…
Slot was much more measured and mature about it all.
Eze is he okay? The Palace Eze. The Eze before Odegaard returned. And the now Eze. Decreasing at an increasing rate?
For the attacking midfielder role
If we are truthful to ourselves – Nwaneri knows that role better than Eze
Eze played a little better today when Odegaard & Zubimendi were in & he shifted to the left wing to take Martinelli place
He seems to be better on the left not in the center of the midfield
4 goals, controlled game without much issue, most 1st team players rested. Job well done.
👍
We’ve just appointed badly needed throw-in coach, Thomas Gronnemark.
Jax,
Is this Thomas assistant to Jover? One for the head and one for the hand? Anatomy period
I read that they’ll be working together. He’s a long throw specialist, but I hope there’s a bit more to him than that.
Jax,
This might be in response to what City did last week. By signing Semenyo City employed best throw in thrower maybe comparable to Kayode of Brentford. Rice was picked until now. He’s to break Gunners all time records thanks to Thomas.
If he makes the players throwing in and those supposed to be making space etc to receive the ball do a better job in half the time it currently takes, then I’ll be a happy person.
Yeah, guess white won’t be holding that ball over his head for ages!
Are we just inventing jobs now, a throw-in specialist. Really?.
I’m a chocolate eating, lager drinking expert if they need one.
GB,
I’m sure Arsenal will be in touch😂.
I now hear they are planning to hire a kick-off specialist in the coming days.😂👍
Good win today, reacted well to going a goal down. And well done Martinelli on you’re first hatrick for the club.
Hopefully Neville and Keane can have a pop at you before all of our games if that’s the outcome. 😂👍
The 4th Round FA Cup Draw. Tomorrow. 32 teams. I hope Arsenal to avoid bigger teams even EPL teams altogether as we’re busy in all competitions. There are lots of feather weights from league one even below. Give us one of them.
Good win. Big Ups to the youngster Salmon. He looks fit for purpose for the next few cup matches.
With a name like Salman, we should be even more potent from set-pieces. 😂
For those wondering, there’s a saying he rose like a salmon. 🤷♂️
He’s already tall and still growing! But he seems so calm and unruffled.
I thought Nwaneri showed up pretty well in second half, he’s very pacy, has a good dynamo.
I’m spluttering into my morning coffee after realising that this news about Arsenal hiring a throw in coach was not a lark. Amazing innovation by Arteta. Who’s Wegner in comparison. Now we’ll be spending even more time practicing set pieces at the expense of time spent on playing flowing, attacking football. Genius stuff.
Unfortunately for us fans, football strategy has changed, even since last season. Flowing, attacking football is awesome to watch… until it hits that inevitable 9-man low block that has become de rigeur of late. We only really get to deploy that style against more open teams, most of which are in the Champions League these days.
We need a range of lock-picking tactics we can deploy more than ever in the EPL. Not sure that a long-throw “expert” is going to offer us much more in reality either, but we might be surprised. If it gets us 3 more goals a season maybe it’s worth it!
Excatly this!! You gotta be a fool if you don´t realize how small the margins are at the top. Every single improvement that gives us a couple of goals more are well worth it. Make 2-3 of those kind of moves and suddenly it can be the tittle decider. Some fans have been following the Premierleague for ages , yet still do not comprehend this. That really baffles me… Well you do and I agree 100% with your comment there 👍
Can we trust this Man Utd to do us the ultimate favour on Saturday? Hope with the addition of Mbuemo and Amad they go neck and neck against City. Only failing to do our homework forces seeking outside help.
If only they could both lose. Sigh!
Lovely weekend, Arsenal cruise through while both the Spuds and United take a hike, beautiful! 😀
You love to see it, haha!
Man City putting 10 past Exeter yesterday was definitely not nothing though. They’re going to be daunting in coming months.
We can enjoy the run while it lasts 🙂
The poor form of Eze and MLS is disappointing and their prospects of making the England World Cup squad seem decidedly remote.More importantly their failure to make a positive contribution for Arsenal must be a concern to our Management team although they will never admit this to the media or our fans.On a brighter note i’m delighted for Martinelli after he was hung drawn and quartered by certain members if the media even after he had apologised to young Bradley, and i thought Merino played very well today.A home draw against Macclesfield could be on the cards?
Grandad,
Macclesfield BUT away. We can’t take all the advantages.
So happy for the team, and Gabi in particular. Let’s take the momentum on to the next for some “little” business at Stamford bridge. COYG!!!
At Stamford Bridge on Wednesday the ref is Simon Hooper. We’re lucky when he reffs; this season at Utd. Lots last term.
Great to see Havertz back and Merino had a good input..
but we are prone too loose the ball in dangerous area´s
Rice was rested. We also saw a brief cameo from Marli
who seemed unfazed and assured..
Am genuinely happy for the kid, he once said he only needs a pen to sign a contract for the club, with the cemetery of talents and others circling.
Looking forward to following tonight’s FA Cup 4th Round draw from Anfield.
Ambachew,
I see we’ve been drawn at home to Wigan.
Big day out for Wigan, proper away support they’ve brought in the past, the away end will be a quarter full! 😀