Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Portsmouth, saying he has a big personality and is ready to play for a big club.

Martinelli was criticised for trying to push Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch after Bradley suffered a serious knee injury. Martinelli apologised to Bradley after the game, and Arteta hailed his response.

“That’s personality, come in and talk on the pitch,” Arteta said. “To play for a big club you need a big personality because it can be that (being at the centre of a controversial incident), it can be an action that you miss, it can be something that costs you a game, and three days later there is a game, so you need to lift yourself up and make it count”

Martinelli’s hat-trick was a welcome response to the criticism, and Arteta was full of praise for his performance. “Today he scored three goals, tomorrow he’s going to train a hundred miles an hour, for sure. He’s not going to change that, that’s Gabi.”

Arsenal had made 10 changes for the clash at Fratton Park and could have been fearing a third-round exit for the third consecutive season when Portsmouth took the lead. However, the Gunners replied with one of their three goals on the day from corners.

Andre Dozzell turned into his own net under pressure from Christian Norgaard, and Martinelli then took centre stage with his hat-trick. Noni Madueke also missed a penalty, but Arsenal’s quality ultimately shone through.