Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez reaffirmed his love for former club Arsenal after severely denting their Premier League title hopes in Sunday's 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. The animated stopper paused his post-match celebrations by showing respect to Arsenal and Mikel Arteta on a momentous day in north London.
Related articles Arsenal collapse to Villa loss as big Mikel Arteta flaw leaves Man City laughing Mikel Arteta ‘expected Aston Villa defeat’ as Arsenal boss accepts Man City fateMartinez joined the Gunners' academy from Independiente in 2010, making 38 senior appearances and completing six different loan moves before joining Aston Villa in a £20million deal in 2020.
He was the bane of Arteta's existence this weekend, keeping a clean sheet to haunt his former club alongside Unai Emery and derail their title challenge.
Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins' 84th and 87th-minute strikes stunned the Emirates, punishing a toothless display from the hosts, dazzled by the bright lights of the title race for a second straight season.
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However, Martinez remained respectful after full-time, paying tribute to the club where he spent over a decade of his career before moving to Villa Park.
"I spent 11 years here. I still love the club, I still have friends here," Martinez, standing alongside Watkins, told Sky Sports.
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
Emi Martinez kept a huge clean sheet against Arsenal. (Image: Getty)"When you spend 10 years of your life at a place where you come in as a young boy and leave as a man, there's still a special connection there.
"They're still second, they play in the Champions League in four days' time, and they have one of the best managers in the world.
"They've come far and have one of the best managers in the world. I've worked with Mikel [Arteta]. I know how good he is.
"I think they'll be fine. They'll put in a really good performance against whoever they play next week."
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READ MORE Southgate 'impresses in chat with Man Utd figure' as manager enquiry says it allThe 31-year-old World Cup winner has played a crucial role in Villa's success this term. With five games remaining, Emery's side are in pole position for a top-four finish.
Villa are also still in the hunt for silverware, taking a 2-1 advantage into Thursday's Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg in Lille.
Martinez added: "I enjoy every win, but the fans have been supporting us both at home and away. We knew an away win would help our Champions League hopes.
"This is the first step. We've got five finals left. But we need to enjoy this one, then go again on Thursday and try to make the semi-finals."
Related articles Erik ten Hag comments on Bruno Fernandes' heated row with Man Utd mate Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes shows true colours in 'training ground exchange'Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
Emi Martinez delivers honest Arsenal verdict after breaking former club's heart
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