‘I’ll always love this club’ – Emi Martinez adores Arsenal after loss to Aston Villa

Emi Martinez, goal keeper for Aston Villa, expressed his lifelong love for Arsenal after aiding his team strike a devastating blow to the Gunners’ title chances. Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League for the first time in 20 years were dashed when Villa defeated them 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins secured three points for Unai Emery’s team, but Argentine custodian Martinez also played a key part. The World Cup-winning shot stopper made a fantastic save to keep the score equal in the first half, denying a close-range Leandro Trossard attempt. Martinez’s heroics came as the home crowd jeered at him. He spent eight years at the north London club before joining Villa in 2020.

He said to Sky Sports: “I think it was 10-11 years I was here. I’ve still got friends here. I came here as a lad and left a man. I’ll always love this club. They are still second, 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.”

Arsenal’s setback moves them two points behind reigning champions and current league leaders Manchester City, and equal with fellow rivals Liverpool, who lost 1-0 at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s team will look to rebound when they visit Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek before facing Wolves in the league on Saturday.