Arsenal coach Jack Wilshere has praised Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez in an interview with The Sun. He was speaking about the former Gunners goalkeeper after he helped his country win the World Cup yesterday.
Argentina claimed their third star with a famous penalty shootout victory. It was a remarkable showpiece finale and some have called it the greatest World Cup Final that there has ever been.
Lionel Scaloni’s team were 2-0 to the good with just ten minutes remaining. Kylian Mbappe announced himself on the final with a quick-fire brace, however, sending the game into extra time.
After an additional half-hour, the scores were still locked at 3-3. The lottery of the penalty shootout went in the direction of Argentina, with Martinez playing a huge part in an amazing victory.
Wilshere played with Martinez during his time with Arsenal. He was quick to praise the player for his performance and he was beaming with pride at his former teammate.
He told The Sun: “But to watch Emi do what he’s done has been amazing.
“To have seen him as a 17-year-old kid at Arsenal, who went out on loan to the likes of Oxford, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday, to now be a World Cup winner. I’m so happy for him.
He made one of the best and most important saves ever in a World Cup final — that stop with his boot from Randal Kolo Muani right at the end of extra-time to get them to penalties.”
Martinez praised by old Arsenal pal Wilshere
It’s fair to say that the Argentine made the right call to leave the Emirates Stadium. He spent several years out on loan from the Gunners and made the decision to leave permanently for £17 million in 2020.
For Martinez, this journey has been a long one. It’s taken him some time to establish himself in the Argentina team but he’s been inspirational during the Qatar edition of the World Cup.
The 30-year-old spent several years away from Arsenal on loan. He made appearances for Wolves, Rotherham, Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading before getting a proper chance with Arsenal.
Now, he’s a World Cup winner and Arsenal might be forgiven for wondering what might have been had they started playing Martinez more frequently a lot sooner.
Martinez is now with Aston Villa and he clearly enjoys his football. Nobody will ever take the World Cup win away from him and it should give him some confidence to kick on with Unai Emery now at the helm.
