Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal: Player ratings as Martinelli fires Gunners into fourth round

Arsenal came from behind to manage a dominant 4-1 victory over Portsmouth as a Gabriel Martinelli hat-trick helped them secure their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta made a number of changes for this test, bringing the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ethan Nwaneri and Eberechi Eze into the starting lineup. Kai Havertz was named on the bench with 16-year-old Marli Salmon also among the substitutes.

Portsmouth took a shock lead after just three minutes when Noni Madueke lost possession, leading to Conor Chaplin striking from the centre of the box. Kepa did well to save the effort, but couldn't prevent Colby Bishop converting on the rebound.

The Gunners responded to the setback brilliantly, pouncing on Pompey's set piece weaknesses to equalise through a corner. Eze's delivery caused problems for the hosts' defence with the ball bouncing around before Andre Dozzell knocked it into his own net.

Despite still being under plenty of pressure, Arteta's side turned the game on its head on the 25 minute mark and their second goal came through another corner. Madueke sent a teasing cross in, which Gabriel Martinelli rose to meet at the near post and flick it into the back of the net.

Shortly before half-time, Madueke did brilliantly to break into the Pompey box and draw a foul from Zak Swanson to win a penalty. He stepped up to take the spot kick and stuttered in his run-up before putting his effort wide, meaning his side's advantage was just one goal at the break.

Pompey almost pulled themselves level early in the second-half when a corner sailed through for Chaplin to strike on the volley, but Ben White got in the way to make a great block.

Arsenal added a third soon after when a free kick was played quickly to Gabriel Jesus, who sent a teasing low cross into the box for Martinelli to tap in at the far post.

The hosts enjoyed a spell of possession after the Gunners' third, but the visitors did well to keep them out ahead of changing their setup, with the most notable substitute being Havertz, making his return from injury.

Arteta's side extended their lead even further after the changes and it once again came through a set piece. Madueke sent another corner in for Martinelli to meet and head in, securing the first hat-trick of his senior career and putting the seal on victory.

It wasn't always straightforward for Arsenal, with Portsmouth causing them a fair few problems, but Arteta's side did well to come from behind and sail into the next stage of the FA Cup ahead of Monday night's fourth round draw.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their 4-1 win at Portsmouth.

Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK) - 6.5/10 - Pushed out the initial shot, but couldn't stop Bishop getting to the rebound to score the opener. Didn't have much to do from there, but made a good save late on to deny Devlin.

Ben White (RB) - 7/10 - Made a great block to keep Chaplin's effort out at the start of the second-half. Got forward to support on the overlap when possible. Picked up a yellow card before being subbed off.

Christian Nørgaard (CB) - 7/10 - Unlucky not to claim the leveller as he poked it in from close range, but the ball had already crossed the line via Dozzell.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Gave the ball away cheaply midway through the first-half, but was steady otherwise. Withdrawn with 15 minutes to play.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (LB) - 6/10 - Guilty of making the wrong decision at times, often looking to draw fouls, but losing possession for his side. Shown a yellow card towards the end of the first-half.

Midfielders

Eberechi Eze (CM) - 7/10 - His corner delivery caused problems for the defence to lead to his side's equaliser. Looked to be a source of trouble for Pompey throughout. Denied a goal from range late on.

Mikel Merino (CM) - 7.5/10 - Played a good pass through for Martinelli, whose subsequent effort went just wide. Won possession back a number of times and showed his skill when twisting and turning away from pressure.

Ethan Nwaneri (CM) - 7.5/10 - Linked up with his teammates well and made some good runs when in possession. Looked well up for it in a rare appearance. Taken off with 20 minutes to play.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 7/10 - Lost possession to allow Pompey back in before netting the opening goal. Made amends with a great corner for Martinelli to head in and turn the tables. Did well to win a penalty, but ended up putting the spot kick wide. Grabbed another assist with another corner for Martinelli to head in.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6.5/10 - Sent a great low cross into the box and all the way to the back post for Martinelli to tap in. Withdrawn just before 70 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 9.5/10 - Put his side ahead with a glanced header when he rose well to meet Madueke's cross. Went close to grabbing a second soon after, but his strike went wide. Did secure his brace early in the second-half with a simple finish at the back post. Netted his first career hat-trick with another header from a corner. Taken off in the closing stages.

Substitutes

• Kai Havertz (on 68' for Jesus) - 6.5/10
• Martin Ødegaard (on 69' for Nwaneri) - 6/10
• Jurriën Timber (on 69' for White) - 6/10
• Marli Salmon (on 75' for Gabriel) - 6/10
• Martín Zubimendi (on 82' for Martinelli) - N/A

Player of the match: Gabriel Martinelli