Emi Martinez torn to shreds as MOTD footage surfaces after Arsenal vs Aston Villa: ‘We knew it was coming’
Aston Villa conceded another set-piece on Tuesday as they were thumped in the capital by Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Arsenal beat Villa 4-1, with second-half goals coming from Gabriel, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus.
Ollie Watkins found a late consolation, but it would ultimately be a damaging day for Unai Emery‘s team.
Villa beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge last week to mark their 11th consecutive victory, and confidence would have been high going into Tuesday’s game.
But several star performers were on fire for Arsenal against Villa, as they gave the Premier League title-chasers a harsh reality check.
Rob Green picks out Emi Martinez flaw
Villa enjoyed chances in the first half against Arsenal, and would undoubtedly have gone into the break as the happier of the two teams.
The home side came out of the blocks for the second half flying, however, and instantly won their first corner of the match when Jurrien Timber‘s cross was blocked.
Arsenal’s danger from set-pieces is no secret, but without Gabriel, they have been unable to score them at the rate they did earlier in the season.
The Brazilian attacks the ball far more aggressively than most forwards in Europe, and has both the height and the strength to make defending him from corners an extremely difficult task.
Gabriel positioned himself next to Emi Martinez as the ball was swung in by Bukayo Saka, and beat the Argentinian to the ball, which rolled down his leg and into the net.
The Villa goalkeeper complained, but he had flapped at the corner and did not even get close to having a full grip on the ball.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day on Tuesday, former England goalkeeper Rob Green said: “We knew it was coming.
“We’ve seen it before at Brentford this season, we’ve seen it at Leeds, and we saw it on Saturday at Chelsea, where Martinez just gets preoccupied with the players around him.
“He’s got two there, he’s fighting there and he can’t come for the ball because he’s just worried about what’s around him. Again, tonight, he’s preoccupied, he’s worried and from there, you know he’s going to be there.
“You know he’s going to be there, [William] Saliba is around there – you can see him, you can touch him. And as a keeper, if you’re going up amongst bodies and you’re going to bring it down amongst heads, you’ve got to punch it.
“He doesn’t do that. Two minutes later, Villa react, and they’ve got their men in and around, the players protecting Martinez. Now, this has been going on for weeks; this has been going on since the start of the season
“So I don’t know why it takes mid-game against Arsenal for it to happen again, three days after it happening at the weekend, for them to react. It seems like a bit of a miss and, as the manager said, it cost them.”
Unai Emery must address set-piece issues
Excluding penalties, Villa have conceded eight goals from set-pieces in the Premier League this season.
It is an issue for Emery’s team, with Martinez often left surrounded by bodies. After Arsenal had taken the lead, Villa did make a change, but then went close to conceding a second corner.
Trossard hit the same spot that Saka had, and while, this time, Gabriel was unable to get to the ball, it fell to Timber and the Dutchman shot just over from close range.
Whether it be a set-up issue or a problem with personnel, set-piece coach Austin MacPhee must address it quickly.