Arsenal beat Portsmouth 2-0 and are the first team into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup
It was not an earth-shattering performance and it was not a bad one either. Arsenal did enough to defeat League One side Portsmouth without too much worry and the quest for silverware this season goes on.
It was a very much changed side from the one that lost to Olympiacos and the players never let themselves or the club down in what was a banana skin of a game.
Arsenal player ratings
Martinez – 7
Looked nervy early doors but settled and did not really have too much to do.
Sokratis – 8
Scored a goal and despite being played out of position had a decent game
Mari – 7
Decent debut and hard to really judge considering the opponents but did look good overall.
Luiz – 7
Solid game, never really tested and even headed the ball a couple of times
Saka – 7
Always looked lively and another one that had a solid game.
Guendouzi – 7
Picked up a silly booking but other than that played well.
Torreira – 5
I am giving him the standard mark because he came off early with an injury
Willock – 5
Was not really impressed with him to be honest, he had an opportunity to shine here and never took it.
Nelson – 8
My man of the match, made both goals and if he can transfer this sort of performance to the Premier League and be consistent with it then he is a star in the making.
Martinelli – 8
Had a very good game, was a constant thorn in the Portsmouth side all game, massive amount of energy.
Nketiah – 8
Scored a goal and did what was asked of him, which he is doing on a regular basis now. Must surely be prefered to Lacazette now.
Subs
Ceballos – 7
Thought he did quite well when he came on for Torreira. He has to do it against the big teams more often though.
Xhaka – 5
Average ratings because of lack of time on the pitch
Maitland-Niles – 5
Same as Xhaka.
Manager
Arteta – 8
Made the big call with wholesale changes and it worked.