"Part of the history of this competition means there is a lot to play for to be in the next round but also a club's reputation, he told TNT Sports. You have to play with that mindset when you play at these grounds. We started exactly how we didn't want to, giving them hope and momentum. But we managed to turn it around, and became more dominant. Positives to take, but some things to be better at."
"We were not at the level [early on]. When we adapted, Portsmouth suffered. We knew that they were going to give us a game and that is the beauty of this competition, that the margin becomes really close, especially when you give them momentum and a goal. We had to find ways to be dominant and adapt to margins. The second half was much better. We did react, and we did what we had to do."
"Gabriel Martinelli netted a hat-trick becoming the first player to do so for Arsenal in an FA Cup match since Theo Walcott nine years ago as the Gunners ran out routine winners at Fratton Park. Portsmouth took the lead after just three minutes, but Arsenal swiftly responded, and all of their goals came via set-pieces as Arteta's team once again demonstrated their prowess in such scenarios, while Noni Madueke also missed a penalty."
Arsenal defeated Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a hat-trick, the first Arsenal FA Cup treble since Theo Walcott. Portsmouth opened the scoring after three minutes, but Arsenal responded quickly and all of their goals came from set-pieces. Noni Madueke missed a penalty in the game. Mikel Arteta rotated his squad and welcomed Kai Havertz back from injury. Arteta valued the team’s mindset and praised how the side adapted after going behind, while noting a need to improve the sluggish start despite a stronger second-half performance.
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