Ian Wright has moved to defend Emi Martinez from Arsenal’s winning goal on Saturday.
The Gunners moved four points clear of Manchester United in the race to qualify for the Champions League by winning 1-0 away to Aston Villa.
It’s never pretty for Arsenal anymore, but it’s extremely effective.
Bukayo Saka’s volley from the edge of the box proved decisive for Mikel Arteta’s outfit.
Television replays indicate that former Arsenal goalkeeper Martinez could and maybe should have prevented the goal, having got a hand to Saka’s effort.
However, the shot was taken from behind a sea of bodies and the legendary hitman has suggested that the Villa stopper was unsighted.
Wright told Optus Sport: “When you see it you think ‘Oh gosh, the keeper’ but I think Arsenal really caught them out and Villa will be absolutely devastated. He [Martinez] is really unsighted.”
Honestly, Wright is correct.
Arsenal supporters would love to use Saka’s goal as a weapon in which to beat Martinez with, given his plummeting popularity among this fanbase since leaving in 2020.
However, Martinez is a fantastic goalkeeper and one save to prevent an Ezri Konsa own goal in the first half was evidence of that.
You can’t consider Saka’s goal as a mistake from the South American because, talented as he may be, he cannot see through human beings and with his line of sight blocked, well a goal was always the likely outcome.
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