Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez had to be held back in the tunnel after the defeat at Arsenal on Tuesday night
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez goaded by Arsenal fans
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez goaded by Arsenal fans(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Emi Martinez was involved in a fiery back-and-forth with an Arsenal supporter after Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
Unai Emery’s side suffered their first defeat in two months on Tuesday night, losing heavily to the league leaders after a difficult second half.
Without several key players, Villa’s task against Arsenal became even more difficult when Amadou Onana was forced off at half-time with an injury.
Then, with Arsenal’s first corner of the second half, Gabriel beat Martinez in an aerial contest, heading the ball into the goal from a Bukayo Saka delivery.
Martinez was then beaten three more times but made a strong save when Villa were 2-0 down, tipping Martin Ødegaard’s shot wide.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was also extremely lucky not to receive a second yellow card before the hour mark when he tugged Morgan Rogers to the ground.
After the match, a video circulating on social media showed Arsenal fans taunting Martinez as he walked down the tunnel.
The goalkeeper reacted to the jeers, turning and exchanging words with the fans. Martinez continued to engage with the Arsenal supporters as a member of Villa's staff tried to lead him back to the dressing room.
Martinez spent a decade as a player at Arsenal and played a key role in the last trophy they won in 2020, which remains Mikel Arteta’s only piece of silverware at the club so far.
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