Gabriel Martinelli's hattrick inspired a comeback victory for the Premier League leaders in PO4, sparing Arsenal's blushes in The FA Cup.
Despite Colby Bishop giving the Blues an early lead, an own goal from Andre Dozzell and then a hattrick by Gabriel Martinelli turned the game on its head in PO4, allowing the 14-time winners to progress to the Fourth Round.
It was a performance the people of Portsmouth and John Mousinho’s side can be proud of, as they gave arguably the best team in world football a good run for their money.
Goalkeeper Josef Bursik came back into the XI for Nicolas Schmid for the first time since December.
While Colby Bishop, Harvey Blair, and Conor Chaplin also returned in favour of Makenzie Kirk, Ibane Bowat and John Swift.
Pompey had the upper hand on the Gunners from the get-go and were immediately rewarded for their early efforts.
An initial effort from Chaplin was parried away by Kepa Arrizabalaga, however, Bishop was on guard to tap the ball into the net to make it 1-0 just 3 minutes gone.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side were able to fire a response and did so via a corner, which was met by Christian Nørgaard, whose shot deflected off Dozzell to make it 1-1.
Harvey Blair tested Kepa down the over end, but the Spanish keeper got down to deny the former Liverpool academy graduate.
The Gooners then inevitably took the lead moments later, this time via Martinelli, who headed home Noni Madueke’s corner at the front post to make it 2-1.
Arsenal then won a 
penalty when Madueke was softly fouled in the 18-yard box by ex-Gunner Zak Swanson.
The former Chelsea and PSV man stepped up to the spot and sent Bursik the wrong way, but his effort went far wide of the Blues' net.
Blair had to be withdrawn just before the interval when he felt his hamstring; he was replaced by Franco Umeh, who swapped sides with Adrian Segečic, who moved across to the left flank.
HALF-TIME: Portsmouth 1-2 Arsenal
A lapse of concentration from Mousinho’s side then gave Arsenal their third, when an unmarked Martinelli tapped home Gabriel Jesus’ ball to the back post.
Pompey made a double change an hour gone, with Marlon Pack and the returning Connor Ogilvie, replacing Luke Le Roux and Conor Shaughnessy.
While Arteta made a triple change of his own, with Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard, and Jurrien Timber coming on for Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, and Ben White.
It was then a third set-piece goal from Arteta’s side, as Martinelli arrived at the front-post to head in Madueke’s corner to make it 4-1 with just under twenty minutes to go.
Umeh was unable to play the final five minutes of the 90, when the former Crystal Palace man pulled up as he attempted to chase the ball down, which forced Portsmouth to end the game with 10 men.
FULL-TIME: Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal
Next up: It’s back on the road for John Mousinho’s side, who travel up to South Yorkshire next Saturday, to face Henrik Pedersen’s Sheffield Wednesday.
In the reverse fixture back in September last year, it was 2-0 defeat for Portsmouth after an encouraging performance in the South Coast Derby the Sunday prior.
November 2002 was the last time Pompey achieved three points at Hillsborough, where a 3-1 win helped the Blues on their quest to win the First Division title in the 02/03 season, which earned promotion to the Premier League.
Portsmouth: 26. Bursik (GK), 24. Devlin, 5. Poole, 6. Shaughnessy (3. Ogilvie), 22. Swanson (2. Williams), 16. Le Roux (7. Pack), 21. Dozzell, 36. Chaplin, 10. Segečic (8. Swift), 29. Blair (15. Umeh), 9. Bishop (C) (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Unused subs: 30. Killip (GK), 17. Bowat, 19. Farrell, 25. Kirk
Goal: Bishop 3’
Bookings: Le Roux 55’
Head coach: John Mousinho
Arsenal: 13. Kepa (GK), 4. White (12. Timber), 16. Nørgaard, 6. Gabriel (89. Salmon), 49. Lewis-Skelly, 10. Eze, 23. Merino (C), 22. Nwaneri ( 8. Ødegaard), 11. Martinelli (36. Zubimendi), 20. Madueke, 9. Jesus (29. Havertz) (Formation: 4-3-3)
Unused subs: 1. Raya (GK), 7. Saka, 14. Gyökeres, 41. Rice
Goals: Dozzell (OG) 8’, Martinelli 25’, 51’ & 72’
Bookings: Lewis-Skelly 45’, White 68’
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Referee: Tony Harrington
Venue: Fratton Park
Attendance: 20,611 (including 3,063 Arsenal fans)
The Pompey Live: Extra-Time podcast, presented by Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson LIVE from the South Stand press box at Fratton Park, is also available to listen back to!
Join Jake for the next instalment of The Football Hour on Express FM this Monday (January 12th) evening from 6pm for more reaction to the Blues' FA Cup defeat to Arsenal and Saturday's WSL 2 defeat for Portsmouth at Southampton.
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