Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick as Arsenal came from behind to beat Championship side Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup third round at Fratton Park. The Brazilian winger's performance followed criticism over an incident in Arsenal's previous match against Liverpool. Mikel Arteta praised Liverpool manager Arne Slot for defending Martinelli amid the controversy.
Arsenal faced an early setback in their FA Cup campaign on January 11, 2026, when Portsmouth took the lead after just three minutes at Fratton Park. Colby Bishop netted his first goal since August, capitalizing on a parried shot from Conor Chaplin by Arsenal's backup goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Premier League leaders, who made 10 changes to their lineup with only Gabriel Magalhães retaining his place from the midweek draw against Liverpool, responded quickly. An own goal by Portsmouth's Andre Dozzell in the eighth minute leveled the score from a corner, credited after a touch by Christian Nørgaard. Martinelli then put Arsenal ahead in the 25th minute, finishing from Noni Madueke’s delivery.
Before halftime, Martinelli struck the post, and Madueke missed a penalty by sending it wide. Arsenal dominated the second half, with Martinelli slotting in Gabriel Jesus’s low cross six minutes after the restart and completing his first hat-trick for the club in the 72nd minute, heading in another Madueke corner.
The victory extends Arsenal's unbeaten run against Portsmouth to 23 matches, their last loss a 5-4 defeat in 1958. Martinelli's display came days after he was criticized for throwing a ball at Liverpool's Conor Bradley during a 0-0 draw, contributing to Bradley's season-ending knee injury involving bone and ligament damage.
Former Manchester United players Gary Neville and Roy Keane condemned Martinelli's actions, but Liverpool's Arne Slot defended him, attributing the flashpoint to time-wasting issues in football. Arteta lauded Slot's response post-match, telling TNT Sports: “I must say I think the way Arne Slot spoke after the game was brilliant... There was no intention whatsoever to damage a player or to no respect that player.”
Arteta also highlighted Martinelli's resilience: “That’s personality, come in and talk on the pitch... Today he scored three goals.” Teammate Mikel Merino added: “We are really happy for him, he’s a great guy... he never tries to make someone feel bad.”
Portsmouth, a point above the Championship relegation zone, had lost their previous game 5-0 to Bristol City but showed early promise. Arsenal, six points clear at the Premier League summit, advance to the fourth round.
