It has been a combined season for Gabriel Martinelli – who was closely criticised for an altercation with injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley through the week.
However the winger will hope his first hat-trick for the Gunners would be the increase he wants, as Arsenal try and win main silverware for the primary time since their 2020 FA Cup success.
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Martinelli has misplaced his place as a daily starter within the Premier League however has excelled within the Champions League, scoring within the Gunners’ opening 4 video games within the competitors.
The struggle for locations has gone up a notch this season, with extra depth within the squad after eight summer time signings – together with forwards Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.
That depth allowed Mikel Arteta to make 10 adjustments and nonetheless identify a staff that includes Spain worldwide Mikel Merino, plus England internationals Madueke and Eze.
Key centre again Gabriel Magalhaes was the one participant to maintain his place from the draw in opposition to Liverpool on Thursday.
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Mikel Merino, captain for the day, was one in every of Arsenal’s finest performers at Fratton Park. Once more requested to play in an unfamiliar deep-lying midfield function, the 29-year-old used his expertise to do an vital job.
Alongside the positives of the win, the hat-trick for Martinelli and minutes for squad gamers, Arteta was in a position to welcome again Kai Havertz because the ahead featured for the primary time since choosing up a knee harm on the opening day of the season.
This was the primary of 4 away video games in 4 totally different competitions for the Gunners – and it’s a signal of how profitable their season has been up to now that they nonetheless have a lot to play for.