Martinelli hat-trick leads Arsenal to 4-1 win over Portsmouth

KATHMANDU: Gabriel Martinelli scored a brilliant hat-trick as Arsenal defeated Portsmouth 4-1 to secure a place in the FA Cup fourth round.

At Fratton Park, Championship side Portsmouth took an early lead in the third minute through Colby Bishop, putting Arsenal under early pressure.

Arsenal fielded a rotated squad with ten changes from their previous lineup.

The hosts’ lead was short-lived as Christian Nørgaard’s effort in the eighth minute deflected off André Dozzell, bringing the score level.

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Arsenal then went ahead in the 25th minute when Martinelli tapped in a Noni Madueke corner, after Madueke had earlier missed a penalty opportunity.

Martinelli struck again in the 51st minute, finishing from close range off Gabriel Jesus’ low cross, and completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute to seal the victory.

Late in the game, 16-year-old defender Marli Salman became Arsenal’s youngest-ever FA Cup player at 16 years and 135 days.

The win propels Arsenal into the fourth round of the FA Cup.