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Unai Emery, Emi Martinez Deliver Bitter Responses to Lopsided Arsenal Defeat

There was an awkward lack of a handshake between Emery and his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta after Tuesday’s 4–1 reverse.

Amanda Langell

Emiliano Martínez conceded four goals at the Emirates.
Emiliano Martínez conceded four goals at the Emirates. / Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery claimed it was too “cold” to wait and shake hands with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta following his side’s poor 4–1 defeat in London, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez aimed a subtle dig at Gabriel for the defender’s opening goal.

The Villans saw their 11-game winning streak come crashing down on Tuesday evening at the hands of the league-leaders. Arsenal found the back of the net four times in the second half to go into the new year five points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.

When the final whistle sounded at the Emirates, Emery headed down the tunnel without finding Arteta first, but the manager played coy with the media when asked about the incident.

“Yes, but it’s simple,” the 54-year-old told Sky Sports. “You can watch. After [finishing] the match, always my routine is quick, shake hands and go with my coaches, with my players, or go to the dressing room.

“And I was waiting, I was waiting. Of course, he was happy and he was with his coaches and I decided to go inside. But for me, no problem. I can’t wait, it was cold.”

Arteta later said everything was “good” between the managers and claimed Emery’s swift exit is just “part of the game” and “not an issue.”

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Martínez Takes Aim at Gabriel for Controversial Opening Goal

Gabriel, Emi Martínez
Gabriel (centre) seemingly caught Emi Martínez with his elbow. / Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images

Unlike his manager, Martínez opted to take a more targeted approach following Aston Villa’s first defeat since Nov. 1. The Argentine went to social media to subtly call out the officials for not disallowing the Gunners’ opener on the night.

Gabriel caught Martínez with a trailing elbow as the centre back went up to meet Bukayo Saka’s delivery from the corner flag in the 48th minute. The goalkeeper fumbled the ball in the air and it hit the Brazilian on its way into the back of the net.

Martínez posted a photo of what he presumably considered to be a foul in the buildup with the caption, “The best team won today. We [are] still in [a] good position for the second part of the season.”

He added “elbow allow” to the end of the post to hit out at the decision. Gabriel responded mischievously by liking the photo.

Despite the loss, the Villans come into the new year in third place of the Premier League, trailing Arteta’s men by just six points.

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Amanda Langell
AMANDA LANGELL

Amanda Langell is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer and editor. Born and raised in New York City, her first loves were the Yankees, the Rangers and Broadway before Real Madrid took over her life. Had it not been for her brother’s obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, she would have never lived through so many magical Champions League nights 3,600 miles away from the Bernabéu. When she’s not consumed by Spanish and European soccer, she’s traveling, reading or losing her voice at a concert.

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