Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was at his best again as Unai Emery’s Arsenal were forced to settle for a Europa League draw at Vitoria Guimaraes.
Arsenal really were asking for it.
Bruno Duarte’s acrobatic, 91st minute equaliser meant Vitoria Guimaraes grabbed the point they deserved out of Wednesday’s rescheduled Europa League clash with a Gunners side who look more sluggish, more unadventurous and more vulnerable than at any other point in the Unai Emery era.
In fact, if it wasn’t for Emi Martinez, the long-serving back-up goalkeeper, Arsenal might have left a rain-soaked Portugal with another damaging defeat to their name.
The Argentine has been arguably his side’s most consistent performer in the Europa League so far this season. And, once again, he kept a dreadful Arsenal team in the game during a first-half which Vitoria really should have capped with two goals at least.
There were a pair of fabulous reflex saves, including one to deny former Tottenham youngster Marcus Edwards, with Martinez displaying the kind of reliability and confidence few other players in Arsenal colours look capable of right now.
Yes, the cynics could claim that Martinez was at least partly at fault for Vitoria’s equaliser, failing to adequately clear a cross in the build up. But, without him, one point would probably have been none.
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