On 11 January 2026 at Fratton Park, Premier League leaders Arsenal recovered from an immediate shock to beat Championship side Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup third round. Gabriel Martinelli stole the show with a three-goal haul as Arsenal overturned Colby Bishop’s early strike and advanced to round four for the first time in three seasons. The match included a quick own goal, a missed penalty, heavy roster changes from Mikel Arteta and a rain-affected atmosphere driven by fired-up Pompey supporters. The result kept Arsenal progressing in the Cup while exposing moments of vulnerability for both teams.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Arsenal 4, Portsmouth 1; the game was played at Fratton Park on 11 January 2026 in wet conditions.
- Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick (25′, 51′, 72′) to secure Arsenal’s victory and claimed the match ball.
- Portsmouth struck first through Colby Bishop inside three minutes; Andre Dozzell then turned the ball into his own net to level the tie within five minutes.
- Noni Madueke missed a penalty in the 43rd minute after a stuttering run-up, meaning Portsmouth remained in the match until the second half.
- Mikel Arteta made 10 changes to his starting XI; Portsmouth made four changes from their 5-0 defeat at Bristol City on 1 January.
- Approximately 3,000 away supporters watched Arsenal extend a long winless run for Portsmouth against the Gunners—Pompey had not beaten Arsenal in 22 meetings dating back to 1958.
- Kai Havertz returned from injury to make a 21-minute substitute appearance, his first outing since the opening weekend.
Background
The FA Cup third round traditionally pitches top-tier sides against lower-league opponents and often produces high-stakes fixtures for squads balancing multiple competitions. Arsenal arrived as Premier League leaders and were managing fixture congestion across domestic and European competitions, prompting Arteta to rotate heavily for the trip to Hampshire. Portsmouth, sitting a point above the Championship relegation zone, were under pressure domestically and had suffered a recent 5-0 loss at Bristol City on New Year’s Day, increasing the stakes for home morale at Fratton Park. The historical record between the clubs favors Arsenal heavily; Pompey had not beaten the Gunners in 22 meetings stretching back to 1958, a statistical backdrop that framed the tie as a classic ‘giant vs. underdog’ cup scenario.
Squad availability shaped both lineups: Arsenal used the match to give minutes to fringe and returning players while protecting regular starters ahead of a congested sequence of away fixtures. Portsmouth, dealing with injuries, fielded a side with four changes from their last league game, aiming to use home advantage and a vocal crowd to unsettle their high-flying opponents. The weather—described as rain-soaked—added an element of unpredictability that influences set-piece delivery and goalkeeper handling, factors that would prove decisive as the game unfolded.
Main Event
Portsmouth erupted out of the blocks; after Harvey Blair’s work down the left and a parried effort by Kepa Arrizabalaga, Colby Bishop reacted quickest to slot home on the rebound inside three minutes. The early lead energized the home support and suggested an upset might be on the cards. Arsenal’s response came swiftly and scrappily: Eberechi Eze delivered a corner that led to Andre Dozzell diverting the ball into his own net under pressure, restoring parity within five minutes of Pompey’s opener.
The remainder of the first half was a mixture of Arsenal dominance from set-pieces and missed opportunities. Martinelli headed in from Noni Madueke’s delivery in the 25th minute to put Arsenal ahead, though replays later suggested the ball might have gone out of play before the cross. As the half progressed, Arsenal pressed but failed to convert a number of chances; Martinelli hit the post from close range and Madueke’s penalty attempt in the 43rd minute was struck wide after an interrupted run-up, leaving the score 2-1 to the Gunners at halftime.
Portsmouth began the second half with belief, forcing a near-blocked attempt from Conor Chaplin, but the visitors’ superior quality told in the 51st minute when Gabriel Jesus’ low cross was turned in by Martinelli at the back post. Arsenal then killed the contest in the 72nd minute as Martinelli headed another Madueke corner through the hands of Pompey keeper Josef Bursik to complete his treble. Kai Havertz’s 21-minute comeback was notable as a fitness milestone, while the 3,000 travelling Arsenal fans celebrated a controlled second-half performance that hid earlier profligacy.
Analysis & Implications
Arteta’s heavy rotation balanced risk and reward. Fielding ten changes can disrupt rhythm, but it also preserves core starters for higher-priority matches; here the gamble paid off because fringe players like Martinelli and Madueke produced decisive moments. Martinelli’s hat-trick not only solved the immediate scoring need but also raises questions about his role in upcoming Premier League fixtures—his form will press Arteta to consider him for starts rather than rotational minutes.
Arsenal’s set-piece proficiency was a clear theme: two of Martinelli’s headed goals came directly from corners and reflected effective delivery and aerial timing. That strength offers a tactical advantage in tight away ties, but Arsenal’s earlier defensive lapses—conceding within three minutes and inviting pressure at times—indicate vulnerability against direct and early transitions. For Portsmouth, the performance showed spirit and tactical planning, but failing to convert momentum from the early lead left them exposed to Arsenal’s superior quality.
The result has scheduling consequences: reaching round four means Arsenal must accommodate another fixture in an already congested calendar, further testing squad depth across four successive away games in different competitions. For Portsmouth, the defeat is a mixed signal—the team competed well against elite opposition, but the loss does nothing to ease Championship survival worries; immediate league form remains the priority for Pompey’s management.
Comparison & Data
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 3′ | Colby Bishop goal (Portsmouth) — rebound finish |
| ~8′ | Andre Dozzell own goal — forced under pressure |
| 25′ | Gabriel Martinelli header (1-1 → 1-2) |
| 43′ | Noni Madueke penalty missed (wide) |
| 51′ | Martinelli finishes Gabriel Jesus’ cross (2-1 → 3-1) |
| 72′ | Martinelli header from Madueke corner — completes hat-trick (4-1) |
The timeline highlights how Arsenal turned an early scare into set-piece advantages that decided the match; two of Martinelli’s three goals originated from corner deliveries. Portsmouth’s best moments clustered around the opening ten minutes and set-piece situations, but they could not sustain the pressure across 90 minutes.
Reactions & Quotes
“Gabriel Martinelli hit the headlines for the right reasons by scoring a hat-trick,” summarised the match report, underscoring the forward’s decisive impact.
ESPN (match report)
“Fired-up home fans created a raucous atmosphere from the first whistle,” a scene-setter that captured Fratton Park’s early intensity.
ESPN (match report)
Unconfirmed
- The exact officiating assessment over whether the ball was out before Martinelli’s 25th-minute header (replays suggested a goal-kick should have been awarded) awaits a formal VAR/official review.
- Any disciplinary follow-up regarding Martinelli’s earlier off-field incident involving Conor Bradley remains unclear; no official sanctions were confirmed publicly after the game.
Bottom Line
Arsenal progressed to the FA Cup fourth round thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s hat-trick and effective set-piece execution, but the early concession and several squandered chances demonstrate lingering defensive and finishing inconsistencies. For Portsmouth, the performance offered cause for optimism despite the loss: the team showed intensity and created meaningful moments, but ultimately lacked the quality to hold onto an early lead.
Looking ahead, Arsenal must manage fixture congestion and squad minutes carefully as they prepare for a sequence of away matches across competitions; Martinelli’s boost in confidence will be a selection headache in a good way for Arteta. Portsmouth return to league duty needing consistency to climb clear of relegation danger while drawing positives from their spirited cup showing.