EMILIANO MARTINEZ has come in for a scathing attack from his one-time Arsenal clubmate Samir Nasri.
The keeper earned legend status at Aston Villa with two penalty saves during Thursday’s Europa Conference League triumph at Lille.
Martinez wound up home fans with a series of shushing gestures during the shoot-out as Villa clinched their place in the semi-finals.
The Argentine was already unpopular in France following his antics in the 2022 World Cup final.
He first denied Randal Kolo Muani a certain late winner before using mind games to help his side win on penalties.
Martinez, 31, has now incurred the wrath of former France midfielder Nasri.
Read More on Arsenal
The 36-year-old spent the 2010-11 season at Arsenal alongside the keeper, who had arrived from home-country club Independiente.
Future Manchester City ace Nasri told Canal Plus: “Martinez’s behaviour annoys me, all the more because he didn’t used to be like that before.
“I knew him at Arsenal, when he was very young, and then he used to be very low-key.
“But now that kind of behaviour has become his stock in trade.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“When you save a penalty you have no need to wind up the opposing fans by telling them ‘shush.’
“I think that is very borderline conduct, especially as he doesn’t need to do it to show he exists.
“He made that key save from Kolo Muani, there was that penalty shootout against France, and now once more against Lille.
“He doesn’t need to say ‘shush’ to get people talking about him.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
