Overview
- Portsmouth struck in the 3rd minute through Colby Bishop after Kepa Arrizabalaga parried a shot, before an Andre Dozzell own goal from a corner quickly leveled the match.
- Gabriel Martinelli recorded his first senior hat-trick, with three goals arriving via corners as Arsenal advanced 4-1 at Fratton Park.
- The goals lifted Arsenal’s season tally from dead-ball situations to 22 across all competitions, underscoring a defining strength.
- Mikel Arteta made around 10 changes from the Liverpool draw, yet the rotated side controlled the tie and nullified the early scare.
- Noni Madueke won a penalty but missed before half-time, while Kai Havertz returned from injury and 16-year-old Marli Salmon made a senior FA Cup appearance ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Chelsea.