Arsenal analysis: Martinelli stars for much-changed Gunners

It has been a mixed season for Gabriel Martinelli - who was heavily criticised for an altercation with injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during the week.

But the winger will hope his first hat-trick for the Gunners will be the boost he needs, as Arsenal attempt to win major silverware for the first time since their 2020 FA Cup success.

Martinelli has lost his place as a regular starter in the Premier League but has excelled in the Champions League, scoring in the Gunners' opening four games in the competition.

The fight for places has gone up a notch this season, with more depth in the squad after eight summer signings - including forwards Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.

That depth allowed Mikel Arteta to make 10 changes and still name a team featuring Spain international Mikel Merino, plus England internationals Madueke and Eze.

Key centre back Gabriel Magalhaes was the only player to keep his place from the draw against Liverpool on Thursday.

Mikel Merino, captain for the day, was one of Arsenal's best performers at Fratton Park. Again asked to play in an unfamiliar deep-lying midfield role, the 29-year-old used his experience to do an important job.

Alongside the positives of the win, the hat-trick for Martinelli and minutes for squad players, Arteta was able to welcome back Kai Havertz as the forward featured for the first time since picking up a knee injury on the opening day of the season.

This was the first of four away games in four different competitions for the Gunners - and it is a sign of how successful their season has been so far that they still have so much to play for.