Forget Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal’s best player vs Portsmouth was actually someone else

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Arsenal have beaten Portsmouth 4-1 in the FA Cup.

The Gunners were always the favourites to win the game at Fratton Park, but there was a twist right at the start as the hosts took the lead.

Arsenal, however, didn’t panic. An own goal levelled the game, and Gabriel Martinelli scored his first senior hat-trick to help his side win.

As good as the Brazilian was, we think the best player on the pitch was actually someone else – Mikel Merino.

Mikel Merino was Arsenal’s best player vs Portsmouth

Mikel Arteta made 10 changes to his Arsenal side against Portsmouth.

Gabriel Magalhaes was the only player who kept his place in the side from the Liverpool game, but surprisingly, he didn’t don the captain’s armband.

Merino was the Arsenal skipper at Fratton Park, which surprised many, but he produced a captain’s display in the middle of the park.

The Spaniard was asked to play as a number six on Sunday, with Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri playing as attacking midfielders in front of him.

Merino looked incredible in that role. He was intelligent with his movement, excellent on the ball and produced a few very intelligent passes.

Arteta now has an alternative to Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in defensive midfield, which is great news.

Martinelli scored three goals and deserves all the praise in the world, but for us, Merino was the best player on the pitch against Pompey.

Choose one position for Mikel Merino for the rest of his career.

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Mikel Merino may just be Arsenal’s most complete player

It is no surprise that Arteta is a big fan of Merino – he is a manager’s dream.

The Spaniard is naturally a box-to-box midfielder, but he has impressed as a number 10, up front and now even as a number six.

Thomas Tuchel once used Merino as a centre-back, and we won’t be surprised if he fills in there for Arsenal at some point.

Merino’s versatility makes him a fantastic player to have in the squad, and it was great to see him play at such a high level at Fratton Park.