Match report
Arsenal Defeats Portsmouth 4-1 in FA Cup Thriller
Portsmouth
1–4
FT
Arsenal
Jan 11, 2026
Arsenal demonstrated their dominance in the FA Cup as they defeated Portsmouth by a score of 4-1. Despite starting off poorly, Arsenal managed to turn things around quickly with a flurry of goals from Gabriel Martinelli and an own goal from Portsmouth’s A. Dozzell.
Key Facts
- • Portsmouth's C. Bishop opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute.
- • Arsenal's A. Dozzell scored an own goal at 8 minutes to level the match.
- • Gabriel Martinelli (25', assist by Noni Madueke) and Gabriel Martinelli again (51', assist by Gabriel Jesus) secured Arsenal’s lead.
- • Benjamin White and Mikel Lewis-Skelly received yellow cards for Arsenal, while Portsmouth's L. Le Roux was also cautioned.
Lineups
Portsmouth
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 26 J. Bursik (G)
- 24 T. Devlin (D)
- 5 R. Poole (D)
- 6 C. Shaughnessy (D)
- 22 Z. Swanson (D)
- 21 A. Dozzell (M)
- 16 L. Le Roux (M)
- 10 A. Segecic (M)
- 36 C. Chaplin (M)
- 29 H. Blair (M)
- 9 C. Bishop (F)
Substitutes
- 30 B. Killip
- 2 J. Williams
- 17 I. Bowat
- 3 C. Ogilvie
- 19 J. Farrell
- 7 M. Pack
- 8 J. Swift
- 15 F. Umeh
- 25 M. Kirk
Arsenal
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI
- 13 K. Arrizabalaga (G)
- 4 B. White (D)
- 16 C. Norgaard (D)
- 6 Gabriel (D)
- 49 M. Lewis-Skelly (D)
- 22 E. Nwaneri (M)
- 23 M. Merino (M)
- 10 E. Eze (M)
- 20 N. Madueke (F)
- 9 Gabriel Jesus (F)
- 11 G. Martinelli (F)
Substitutes
- 1 D. Raya
- 7 B. Saka
- 8 M. Odegaard
- 12 J. Timber
- 14 V. Gyökeres
- 29 K. Havertz
- 36 M. Zubimendi
- 41 D. Rice
- 89 M. Salmon
Timeline
-
3' Portsmouth Goal · Normal GoalC. Bishop
-
8' Arsenal Goal · Own GoalA. Dozzell
-
25' Arsenal Goal · Normal GoalGabriel Martinelli · Assist: Noni Madueke
-
40' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 1Off: H. Blair · On: F. Umeh
-
45' Arsenal Card · Yellow CardM. Lewis-Skelly
Foul
-
51' Arsenal Goal · Normal GoalGabriel Martinelli · Assist: Gabriel Jesus
-
55' Portsmouth Card · Yellow CardL. Le Roux
Foul
-
62' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 2Off: C. Shaughnessy · On: Connor Ogilvie
-
62' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 3Off: L. Le Roux · On: M. Pack
-
68' Arsenal Card · Yellow CardBenjamin White
Foul
-
69' Arsenal subst · Substitution 1Off: E. Nwaneri · On: M. Ødegaard
-
69' Arsenal subst · Substitution 2Off: Benjamin White · On: Jurriën Timber
-
69' Arsenal subst · Substitution 3Off: Gabriel Jesus · On: K. Havertz
-
72' Arsenal Goal · Normal GoalGabriel Martinelli · Assist: Noni Madueke
-
73' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 4Off: Z. Swanson · On: J. Williams
-
73' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 5Off: A. Segecic · On: John Swift
-
76' Arsenal subst · Substitution 4Off: Gabriel Magalhães · On: M. Salmon
-
82' Arsenal subst · Substitution 5Off: Gabriel Martinelli · On: Martín Zubimendi
Match Stats
| Stat | Portsmouth | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 16 | 9 |
| Pass Accuracy | 72% | 84% |
| Offsides | 1 | 5 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 13 | 15 |
| Corners | 6 | 8 |
| Total Passes | 273 | 442 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 2 |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| xG | 1.65 | 2.96 |
| Shots off Target | 3 | 5 |
| Possession | 39% | 61% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 196 | 372 |
| Shots Inside Box | 8 | 12 |
| Saves | 1 | 4 |
| Shots Outside Box | 5 | 3 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Arsenal's own goal at 8 minutes turned the match around as they quickly took advantage of their momentum.
- ▸ Gabriel Martinelli’s double in the second half solidified Arsenal's control, ensuring a comfortable win.