UNAI EMERY has slammed goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for his part in Gabriel Martinelli’s goal for Arsenal.
The Argentinian World Cup winner, 30, decided to go up for a corner in the final moments – with his side trailing 3-2.
However, the Gunners were able to counter quickly and score a fourth goal – with the Brazil winger free to tap into an unguarded net.
After the game, Emery revealed he was unhappy with Martinez’s decision.
“Our game plan is, of course, quality really and on the pitch they have to take the decision,” he told talkSPORT.
“He decided in the last action to go to the corner offensively, but I don’t like it.
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“But I told him nothing, before or after because in all my career I have never told our goalkeepers to do it and the statistical data is going against the teams that are going with the goalkeeper more than scoring any goals.”
When quizzed if he has told the shotstopper not to do it again, Emery replied: “He can learn for the next matches.”
Martinez didn’t enjoy the best of afternoons against his old employers.
With the score locked at 2-2, a long-range effort from Arsenal’s Jorginho cannoned off the woodwork – before hitting the goalie’s head and bouncing into the net.
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In the first half, Aston Villa looked like they were going to hand Arsenal their third league defeat in four games – when they raced into a 2-1 lead.
But a spirited second half performance from Mikel Arteta’s men helped them climb back to the summit of the Premier League.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s low drive got the visitors back level in the 61st minute.
A late flurry in the 93rd and 97th minute spared Arsenal’s blushes, after Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah missed chances to put the game to bed.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
