Martinelli Scores Hat-trick As Arsenal Continue Push For Four Trophies

Arsenal have continued their push to win four trophies this season as the Gunners defeated Portsmouth in their FA Cup Third Round match on Sunday.

Gabriel Martinelli was the main man as the Brazilian forward scored a treble to help Arsenal overcome an early scare to thrash Championship strugglers Pompey 4-1.

The Premier League leaders fell behind less than three minutes into a rain-soaked contest at Fratton Park when Colby Bishop finished from close range.

However, Andre Dozzell’s own goal quickly levelled the contest before Brazil forward Martinelli struck either side of Noni Madueke’s penalty miss.

Martinelli, who was widely criticised for attempting to push the injured Conor Bradley off the pitch during Thursday’s goalless draw with Liverpool, completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute.

Speaking after the game, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli’s personalities.

Gabriel Martinell celebrates scoring his Arsenal’s fourth goal and his hat-trick goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match against Portsmouth. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“That’s why to play for a big club, you need a big personality because it can be bad… it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game,” Arteta added

“And three days later, there is a game. So you need to lift yourself up and make it count.

“I love it. Gabi, in every context that you throw him in, he plays, he doesn’t play. He performs well, not well. Today, he scored three goals.

“Tomorrow, he’s going to train 100 miles an hour, for sure. He’s not going to change that. And that’s Gabi.”

Martinelli’s hat-trick was the first scored by an Arsenal player in the FA Cup since Theo Walcott did so against Southampton in January 2017.

It was also his first in 249 games for the Gunners and the first time that he has scored more than two goals in a game for a year.