Arsenal’s Martinelli shines as he nets hat-trick in FA Cup victory
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hailed Gabriel Martinelli’s mentality after he netted three goals as Arsenal cruised to a 4-1 FA Cup third-round triumph against Championship side Portsmouth at Fratton Park, reports BritPanorama.
The Brazilian winger had faced widespread condemnation following Thursday’s incident at the Emirates Stadium, where he threw the ball at Liverpool’s injured defender Conor Bradley before attempting to shove him from the field during the goalless encounter.
Arteta expressed admiration for Martinelli’s mental resilience after the 23-year-old responded to the controversy by delivering a match-winning performance, despite facing jeers from the vocal home crowd throughout the rain-drenched contest.
Portsmouth took a stunning early lead through captain Colby Bishop, who found the net just three minutes into the match. However, Arsenal’s response was swift as Andre Dozzell inadvertently turned the ball into his own goal to restore parity.
Martinelli then took centre stage, scoring twice to establish a commanding advantage for the visitors. Winger Noni Madueke squandered a spot-kick between the Brazilian’s first two strikes. Despite spurning a simple chance when the score stood at 2-1, the Arsenal forward sealed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute, capping off a redemptive afternoon for the Gunners against the second-tier strugglers.
Earlier on Sunday, it was announced that Liverpool right-back Bradley was set to undergo knee surgery, which will rule him out for the rest of the season. Martinelli apologised to the Northern Ireland international following the high-profile flashpoint, having not initially realised the severity of the injury.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino commented on Martinelli, stating, “We are really happy for him, he’s a great guy. Everyone that knows him knows he’s a really kind kid. He’s always smiling, he’s always kind with everyone. We are very pleased that he’s performing this well.”
Arteta also noted, “To play for a big club you need a big personality… You need to lift yourself up and make it count. Today he scored three goals, tomorrow he’s going to train a hundred miles an hour, for sure.”
Premier League leaders Arsenal began a stretch of four successive away games in four different competitions by reaching round four of the cup for the first time in three seasons after Arteta made 10 changes for the visit to Hampshire. He remarked, “When we make that many changes, there is an element of cohesion that is not going to be as perfect as we want.”
Portsmouth had not beaten Arsenal in their last 22 meetings and were unable to build on their dream start amid a turbulent contest that showcased the character and depth of the Arsenal squad.
