Premier League

FOOTBALL fans have claimed Arsenal’s Bernd Leno suffering a horrific injury against Brighton in June 2020 was the “moment the entire footballing timeline changed”.Leno’s injury caused by Brighton’s Neal Maupay marked a turning point in the career of second-choice Gunners keeper Emiliano Martinez – who went on to win the World Cup last year.
Bernd Leno suffered a horrific injury as he awkwardly clashed with Brighton’s Neal MaupayCredit: PA
Bernd Leno’s disastrous injury has been labelled the catalyst for Emiliano Martinez’s successCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Emiliano Martinez went on to win the World Cup last year and the Golden Glove for best keeperCredit: Getty
Arsenal’s fateful trip to Brighton may have ended in a 2-1 defeat but the game gave the limelight to Martinez.
One fan pinpointed that “this singular event changed the whole footballing timeline”.
Before that game, the Argentine had been a back-up shot-stopper for the Gunners for a decade and made as many Premier League appearances – six – as he’d had loan spells.
In 2020 he never even played for Argentina but in the first half of Arsenal’s defeat at Brighton, Maupay’s awkward clash with Leno changed everything for the 31-year-old.
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With Leno now out Martinez was in – a chance he had been dying for.
The Argentine helped the Gunners overcome their worst Premier League finish since 1995 after they lifted the FA Cup.
Martinez then made a move to Aston Villa for £20million during the summer of 2020.
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His top form for Villa earned him his Argentina debut in June 2021 and then later that year he lifted the Copa America with his country – and was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
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This cemented his status as first choice keeper for the World Cup in Qatar.
His heroics in the penalty shootout against France in the final secured Argentina the title and him the Golden Glove.
On Monday night he continued his in credible rise, securing the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the best-performing goalkeeper.
And that is why fans have concluded that without Maupay’s nudge, Martinez’s extraordinary journey would never have happened.
Martinez with Lucas Torreira after helping Arsenal win the 2020 FA Cup final vs Chelsea More

BERNANDO SILVA has delved into the clever tactics which saw Manchester City thrash Manchester United on Sunday.The Portuguese midfielder was awarded Man of the Match as City cruised to a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Bernardo Silva has revealed City’s simple – but genuis – game plan for the derbyCredit: EPA
Silva won Player of the Match on SundayCredit: Getty
Erling Haaland scored a brace before playing in Phil Foden to wrap up the tie.
Yet City’s dominance was far greater than the scoreline suggested and at the heart of it was Silva.
He told Sky Sports: “Knowing their full-backs were going to be tight with Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
“It meant me and Julian Alvarez tried to give them the option of the pass in the pocket between full-back and centre-back.
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“Slow build-up, attracting the opponent and then when we find the space in behind their midfielders, we attack quick.
“It really worked. The momentum that we created and the timings of the build-ups and attacking in the final third worked brilliantly.
“Our defenders were really close to their attackers, and we didn’t let them break through.
“We know they want us to lose our simple balls and to counterattack.”
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With United going man-for-man in the middle of the pitch to block central passing lanes, the Portugal midfielder utilised the space wide.
Meanwhile, Silva was also one of five City players to place in the top 10 of this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings.
City boss Pep Guardiola hailed him as “irreplaceable”.
The Spanard declared: “We were scared to lose him. Every time he comes here at Old Trafford, he plays really well.”
It would have been worse was it not for Andre Onana’s saves on a day when United fans booed Ten Hag’s decision to replace Hojlund.
While Old Trafford legend Gary Neville described Sunday’s second-half showing as “appalling”.
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NEIL WARNOCK has sensationally hit out at Manchester United’s expensive star names.The veteran manager, 74, left his role at Huddersfield last month – but claimed some United players wouldn’t have made the Championship side.
Neil Warnock has laid into the lack of ability of United’s new playersCredit: Getty
Fans have branded Antony as the ‘biggest waste of money in history’Credit: Getty
United fell to their fifth league defeat on Sunday at the hands of rivals Manchester City, leaving them eighth and 11-points adrift.
The Red Devils have splashed a whopping £177million this summer with the transfers of Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
But so far, the performances have been unable to match expectations.
Ten Hag’s disastrous start to this campaign has left ex- Prem boss Warnock unconvinced on the Dutchman’s influence at the club.
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He told talkSPORT: “The money that he’s spent, people forget. Whatever you think about the owners they’ve spent some massive money.
“Some of the players, they’ve spent £60-70million. I wouldn’t have had them with me at Huddersfield.”
When asked if he think Ten Hag will remain boss, he added: “I don’t think he will personally.
“I’m not sure he wants to last either. I think he knows he’s banging his head against a brick wall.”
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United have made a whole host of poor recruitment calls in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The £80m spent on Harry Maguire has been brutally mocked by fans, while the off-field issues around Jadon Sancho have embarrassed the club.
United spent £73m on Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, but his public fallout with the manager has put a January exit on the horizon.
While bosses also splashed a mammoth £82m on Antony – who has failed to justify the price tag, failing to contribute a single goal or assist this season.
The attitudes of both players has also been a point of contention, with Antony and Sancho frequently accused of poor discipline.
Warnock is reportedly set to take over at his former club Queens Park Rangers, following the sacking of Gareth Ainsworth last week.
Jadon Sancho has failed to replicate his previous form for DortmundCredit: Getty More