Gabriel Martinelli scored the first hat-trick of his Arsenal career as the Premier League leaders comfortably defeated Championship strugglers Portsmouth 4 1 to confirm their place in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
The Gunners were shocked early on at a lively Fratton Park, as a goal from Colby Bishop in the third minute saw them go a goal down after Kepa Arrizabalaga could only parry the first shot, but it was the rebound that the striker pounced on. The goal briefly lifted the home crowd, but Mikel Arteta’s team was quick to respond.
Just five minutes after that, the Gunners equalized by exploiting Portsmouth’s bad set-piece defending as the ball went in off Andre Dozzell after a corner. Arsenal’s continued pressure from set pieces soon bore fruit again with Martinelli nodding in Noni Madueke’s cross at the 25th minute to give the visitors the lead.
Before the break, Madueke missed a great opportunity to double the lead from the spot, but the Gunners took control of the game after the break. After a beautiful Gabriel Jesus pass, Martinelli calmly finished to make it 3 1 and then sealed his hat-trick with another header from a corner.
This win emphasized Arsenal’s set-piece prowess, with the North London club now having scored 17 goals from corners this season.
