Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal Player Ratings: MOTM Martinelli 10/10 with Hattrick as Gunners Cruise to Victory | FA Cup

Arsenal got the better of Portsmouth FC in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, registering a 4-1 away win.

The Gunners didn’t have the best start in the FA Cup fixture as Portsmouth took an early lead on home soil, thanks to a goal by Colby Bishop. Arsenal bounced back quickly, putting pressure on the Portsmouth defence. Ultimately, a defensive error by Andre Dozzell brought Arsenal back into the game.

After equalising with the own goal, Gabriel Martinelli increased the lead for the visiting side before the first-half whistle. At the break, the Arsenal vs Portsmouth score remained 2-0 in favour of the Premier League leaders.

Arsenal kicked off the second half on a dominant note, and Martinelli once again struck to establish their dominance in the away FA Cup match. Despite his brace, the Brazilian forward was in no mood to settle down. In the 72nd minute, Martinelli completed his hat-trick in the FA Cup third-round game against Portsmouth FC.

Nothing much happened for the rest of the game as Arsenal secured a comfortable victory, beating Portsmouth FC 4-1 away from home. Here are Sportsdunia’s Portsmouth vs Arsenal Player Ratings from the FA Cup fixture.

Key Takeaways

1. Colby Bishop scored early to give Portsmouth a surprise lead at Fratton Park.
2. Gabriel Martinelli scored a first-half brace after an Arsenal equaliser from a defensive error by Portsmouth.
3. Martinelli completed his hat-trick later in the game as Arsenal FC picked up a 4–1 away victory.

Portsmouth Player Ratings vs Arsenal

Check out Portsmouth player ratings from the FA Cup game:

Goalkeeper

Josef Bursik - 5.0: A really tough afternoon for the keeper. He conceded four goals but, in truth, he could do very little about Martinelli's clinical finishing. His distribution was a bit frantic, losing possession 22 times. We noticed he made a couple of saves but was largely left exposed by his defence against a relentless Arsenal attack.

Defenders

Regan Poole - 6.0: He battled hard against the red tide. What stood out was his crucial last-man tackle, which was a moment of real quality. He won most of his duels and made several clearances. However, he was still part of a backline that was ultimately overwhelmed by Arsenal's movement and precision.

Conor Shaughnessy - 5.5: Had a difficult time dealing with Arsenal's forwards before being substituted after the hour mark. He made six clearances which shows how much pressure he was under. He also missed a couple of decent chances from set-pieces, which could have changed the complexion of the game. It just wasn't his day.

Zak Swanson - 4.0: A game he will want to forget in a hurry. From our perspective, he was completely out of his depth. He rashly gave away the penalty in the first half and committed a staggering five fouls throughout his time on the pitch. Arsenal's attackers, especially Martinelli and Madueke, targeted him and got a lot of joy. A very poor performance.

Terry Devlin - 6.5: One of the few Portsmouth players who can hold his head high. We were impressed by his tenacity and fighting spirit. He won 9 of his 12 duels and made three successful tackles. He never stopped running and tried to drive his team forward even when the game was lost. A commendable effort.

Midfielders

Adrian Segečić - 5.5: He showed flashes of creativity, creating three chances for his teammates. His crossing was decent, but he struggled to get on the ball enough to dictate play. He was often chasing shadows as Arsenal's midfield passed around him. Faded significantly as the game wore on.

Luke Le Roux - 5.0: A difficult outing for the midfielder. He was booked for a clumsy challenge and struggled to get a foothold in the game. He lost possession a couple of times in dangerous areas and was substituted just after the hour. The pace of the game seemed to be a bit too much for him.

Andre Dozzell - 4.5: His performance will unfortunately be remembered for that bizarre own goal. It was a moment of sheer misfortune that killed his team's momentum. From our perspective, his head dropped after that, and he never really recovered. A deeply disappointing day for him.

Harvey Blair - 6.5: What a shame his game was cut short by injury. In the opening period, he was Portsmouth's liveliest player, looking dangerous every time he got the ball. He was direct, drew fouls, and looked like a real threat. His substitution was a big blow for the home side.

Conor Chaplin - 5.5: Forced a good save from Kepa early on and looked up for the fight. However, as Arsenal took control of the midfield, his influence waned dramatically. He worked hard off the ball but was unable to make a significant impact in an attacking sense after the opening exchanges.

Forwards

Colby Bishop - 7.5: Portsmouth's best player by a country mile. He took his goal with the composure of a top striker and gave his team a dream start. He was a physical menace all afternoon, winning duels and holding the ball up well. He fought a lone battle upfront and deserved more support.

Substitutes

Franco Umeh-Chibueze - 5.5: Came on for the injured Blair but couldn't replicate his impact and later picked up an injury himself.

Marlon Pack - 5.5: Brought on to add some experience but couldn't stem the tide of Arsenal attacks.

Connor Ogilvie - 5.5: Slotted into a defence that was already under immense pressure.

John Swift - 6.0: Looked tidy on the ball and had a decent shot from distance.

Jordan Williams - N/A: Not on long enough to make a significant impact.

Manager

J. Mousinho - 6.0: His game plan worked perfectly for the first eight minutes. His team started with incredible intensity and deservedly led. However, the own goal changed everything, and his side was simply outclassed by superior opposition. He can be proud of the initial fight they showed.

Arsenal Player Ratings vs Portsmouth

Let's take a look at Arsenal player ratings from Arsenal vs Portsmouth game:

Goalkeeper

Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7.0: Made a crucial save in the opening minutes to deny Chaplin, a moment that proved vital. He was composed and reliable throughout, dealing with everything that came his way. His distribution was good, and he commanded his box well. A solid performance between the sticks.

Defenders

Ben White - 6.5: A typically steady performance from the right-back. He defended well for the most part but did pick up a needless yellow card for a clumsy foul. He supported the attack when possible before being substituted. A job well done, if unspectacular.

Gabriel Magalhães - 6.0: We were a bit surprised by his performance. He seemed to struggle with the physicality of Colby Bishop, losing a surprising number of aerial duels. He wasn't his usual dominant self and looked a little off the pace. A rare average day for the Brazilian.

Christian Nørgaard - 7.0: A composed and intelligent display at the heart of the defence. He read the game beautifully, making important interceptions and clearances. His passing from the back was crisp and accurate, helping Arsenal build from deep. Looked very comfortable.

Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6.5: The youngster did not look out of place. He got a yellow card for a cynical foul, but otherwise, he was composed and assured in his defensive duties. He was tidy in possession and showed a maturity beyond his years. A promising display for the future.

Midfielders

Eberechi Eze - 7.0: He was the metronome in Arsenal's midfield. Everything flowed through him. He kept possession effortlessly, always seeming to have time on the ball. He didn't create many clear-cut chances, but his control and tempo-setting were vital to Arsenal's dominance.

Ethan Nwaneri - 6.5: Another young player who impressed us. He worked tirelessly in the midfield engine room, winning tackles and recovering the ball. He showed good technical ability and was not afraid to get stuck in. A very encouraging performance from the academy product.

Mikel Merino - 8.0: The captain led by example. He was an absolute machine in midfield, covering every blade of grass. He made a remarkable 8 ball recoveries and broke up numerous Portsmouth attacks. His leadership and energy were infectious, driving his team on from the first minute to the last.

Forwards

Gabriel Martinelli - 10: Simply sensational. The undisputed Man of the Match. His movement, his finishing, his hunger - it was all world-class. He scored a poacher's hat-trick, always in the right place at the right time. He was a nightmare for the Portsmouth defence all game. A truly special, highest-rated player performance.

Gabriel Jesus - 7.0: While he didn't get on the scoresheet, his contribution was significant. His intelligent movement created space for Martinelli and others. He linked play superbly and grabbed a well-deserved assist. He was a constant nuisance before being taken off for a rest.

Noni Madueke - 8.0: What a chaotic and brilliant performance. He provided two assists for Martinelli and won the penalty with his dazzling footwork. However, he then blazed that penalty wide. From our perspective, he was a whirlwind of activity, both good and bad, but his positive contributions far outweighed the negative. A thrilling player to watch.

Substitutes

Kai Havertz - 6.5: Came on and linked play nicely, almost getting an assist himself.

Jurriën Timber - 6.5: Slotted in seamlessly for Ben White and looked solid.

Marli Salmon - N/A: Not enough time to make an impact.

Martín Zubimendi - N/A: A late cameo to see out the game.

Manager

M. Arteta - 8.0: Despite rotating his squad, his team played with the same style and intensity. He didn't panic after going a goal down, trusting his players and his system. His tactics ultimately overwhelmed Portsmouth, and he managed the game perfectly. Another comfortable cup victory for the gaffer.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli with a 10/10 performance.

Worst Performer

Andre Dozzell of Portsmouth FC made a defensive error and had a rating of 4.5/10