Emiliano Martinez isn’t remembered fondly by Arsenal fans, despite helping them to win the FA Cup in his last season. I mean, since then, he’s turned into a bit of an ego-centric villain. I found it funny, but some dubbed his World Cup final performance as disrespectful.
And today was no different. As goalkeepers often do against Arsenal, Martinez spent as much as time as possible with the ball at his feet, faked an injury and tried to get into the Arsenal attackers’ heads. He failed, as it was him who had the two worst moments of the match, both of which in added time. In the end, the result was Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal.
Firstly he scored an own goal to give Arsenal the lead. The ball bounced off the crossbar but because of his positioning, rebounded off his body and ended in the back of the net.
To try and make amends for his team, he went forward for the corner which he thought would be the last kick of the game. Instead of getting on the end of it, he left his net wide open for Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli to combine for an easy counter-attack.
It was an important three points for the Gunners, not only because of their impressive fight back but because of what happened later, with Manchester City conceding late on to drop two massive points. It means that the Gunners will stay in first place after this weekend, thanks to Martinez.
Twitter is not the best place for him right now, but it serves him right. If he can give it, he should learn to take it.
Emi Martinez scores his 1st goal for Arsenal pic.twitter.com/RQLE3kJBpY
— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) February 18, 2023
After spending most of his career trying to be important for Arsenal, he did so while playing against them. L.
Emi Martinez has never had a good game against Arsenal since he left,I feel sorry for him but he deserves it coz of his arrogance in any match he plays against us
— Dj Ranking Izzoh (@rankingizzoh) February 18, 2023
This Twitter user pretty much hits the nail on the head.
Emi Martinez should be MOTM...scored for arsenal and left his post empty for arsenal 4th...arsenal agents everywhere 😂😂 #AVLARS #ARS #emimartinez #Gunners
— Ahmed Abdulhamid (@akhmaedoo) February 18, 2023
If those two points are the difference between the Gunners winning the league, then Martinez is a club legend.
Emi Martinez time wasting all game then costing his team two goals in injury time was poetic.
— Paddy (@PaddyArsenal) February 18, 2023
It’s arguably the worst goalkeeper performance of the season.