The last time Arsenal faced Portsmouth in the FA Cup, back in March 2020 with Mikel Arteta on the bench, they ended up lifting the title at Wembley against Chelsea. Six years after that, the Gunners started their journey in the oldest official club tournament in the world with victory (1-4).
As expected, even more so taking into account the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Chelsea on the horizon, Arteta put into contention at Fratton Park an eleven full of alternatives that included Kepa or Merino. The only theoretical starter was Gabriel due to the losses in the rear axis that also forced Norgaard to position himself as his partner.
Too many novelties that Portsmouth took advantage of to spring the surprise when only three minutes of the game had elapsed. Portsmouth skipped the pressure, recovered on the right side and, after a good intervention by Kepa on a shot from Chaplin, Bishop instinctively collected the rebound and made the score 1-0.
The joy did not last long. And, just five minutes later, Arsenal once again resorted to set pieces to equalize the match. Eze put it ‘a little touch’ from the left sector, Martinelli extended at the near post and, between Norgaard and Dozzell, the ball ended up inside the goal defended by Bursik.
Before reaching the hour mark, Martinelli himself was once again the protagonist to put Arsenal ahead in the 25th minute and, again, from a set piece. On this occasion, it was Madueke who served the corner that the Brazilian headed into the back of the net at the near post.
Martinelli was able to finish the first half with a hat-trick of his own. But he sent a one-on-one out and crashed Ben White’s lateral service against the post with everything at will. Madueke also failed to extend the lead by sending out a penalty that he himself forced on the stroke of half-time.
Arteta did not make a single change after passing through the locker room and, when barely five minutes of the second act had been played, Ben White once again served the goal on a plate to Martinelli who, now, did not forgive at the far post to begin to open the gap.
It was not until well after match time that the first refreshment men began to enter Arsenal. Among them, a Kai Havertz who returned since he was injured on the first day of the Premier League at Old Trafford. The one who continued on the pitch was Martinelli who completed his particular hat-trick in the 72nd minute in another strategic action.
With less than 10 minutes left, the Brazilian international gave way to Zubimendi… as well as his compatriot Gabriel to the very young Marli Salmon, who had already played against Bruges in the Champions League with an Arsenal shirt that also allows us to get excited about this FA Cup. The last time, he also passed through Portsmouth.
