Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was seen involved in a major clash with Arsenal fans after Villa's 4-1 loss to them at the Emirates on December 30. Unai Emery's side is now third in the Premier League table, six points behind the first-placed Gunners.
The clash last night began with a goalless first half, but Arsenal turned things around big time in the final 45 minutes. Gabriel Magalhaes ended the deadlock (48'), with Martin Zubimendi (52'), Leandro Trossard (69'), and Gabriel Jesus (78') following up. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins scored during stoppage time (90+4'), but it remained a consolation goal for the visitors. Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez's performance was not up to the mark, especially after he could save only three out of seven attempts at goal.
After the match in the tunnel, Emiliano Martinez was seen involved in a feud with Arsenal fans at the Emirates. In a viral video shared online, one of the fans in the stadium was heard screaming at Martinez:
"You’re rattled! F*** off, f*** off, f*** off! He’s so rattled. Wakey wakey!"
Martinez was also spotted visibly angry and frustrated, and had to be stopped by the staff as he tried to get back at the fans. Moreover, during the match, "you are just a sh*t David Raya" chants were heard several times aimed at the Argentine, who is a former Gunner. The Argentine spent six years at the club before his move to Villa in 2020.
Aston Villa will next face Nottingham Forest on January 3, where they'll be desperate to gain three points to keep their title hopes going. Meanwhile, Arsenal will clash against Bournemouth on the same day and has to continue winning, with Manchester City only five points behind with a game in hand. If the Gunners lose a match, Guardiola's side will have a good chance of replacing them as table leaders.
"They win the Premier League quite easily"- Paul Merson makes major claim after Arsenal's 4-1 win over Aston Villa
Premier League - Source: Getty
Premier League - Source: Getty
In his post-match discussion on Sky Sports' Soccer Special, pundit Paul Merson believed that the Gunners could easily win the Premier League this season. Merson said (via Sky Sports):
"Looking at Arsenal, with the away fixtures they have already played and this result against Villa, I don't know who will stop them. They play all the big teams apart from Man City at home and playing like that, it's hard to see them being stopped."
He added:
"I think they win the Premier League quite easily. It was a statement result and Man City will have been watching. They will be thinking wow after that from Arsenal."
Even if Manchester City win against Sunderland on New Year's Day, the Gunners will remain two points clear at the top. The Sky Blues will have to hope Arteta's side loses at least one upcoming fixture to have hopes of dismantling them from the top. If the Gunners win the Premier League this season, it will be a historic feat for Mikel Arteta as they last won the title in 2003.