Arsenal villain Martinelli turns FA Cup hat-trick hero

AFP | London

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Gabriel Martinelli shrugged off the backlash to his clash with stricken Liverpool defender Conor Bradley to send Arsenal into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win at Portsmouth yesterday.

The Championship side were dreaming of an upset against the Premier League leaders when they went in front after just three minutes through Colby Bishop. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had made 10 changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Liverpool on Thursday.

Martinelli drew stinging criticism for trying to push Bradley off the pitch in the closing stages after the Northern Irishman hit the ground with a serious knee injury.

Liverpool confirmed yesterday the right-back will need surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

The Brazilian apologised to Bradley after the game and did not seen affected by the furore at Fratton Park.

Arsenal could rely on their threat from set-pieces to turn the tie around.

The Pompey lead lasted only two minutes as Christian Norgaard bundled in from close range before Martinelli flicked in the first of his three goals.

Noni Madueke missed the chance to make it 3-1 from the penalty spot when the England international fired wide.

Martinelli did kill the tie off early in the second period from Gabriel Jesus’ cross before completing his hat-trick from another Arsenal corner.