Football Cup NewsMartinez reacts to handball claims with hilarious social media posts.
Post image

Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez has hit back at those claiming he handled the ball outside the penalty area during Saturday’s FA Cup final match.

Martinez300x164

1st August 2020 is a day that has secured long memory in Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Emi Martinez’s mind. Having stepped out of the cold to gill in for the injured Bernd Leno in recent weeks, the Argentine got the chance to line-up in one of the most famous fixtures in world football. He helped his side defeat Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley to lift the FA Cup for the 14th time in their colorful and rich history.

Having fallen to Pulisic’s fifth-minute opener, it looks as though Arteta’s side were set for a long afternoon. However, the Gunners drew themselves level when forward Aubameyang tucked in a 28th-minute penalty. This after the Blues’ Cesar Azpilicueta hauled him down inside the penalty area.

Midway through the second half, Aubameyang was at it once more. This time, the captain scored a “delicious” chipped effort to place his side on a run to their first trophy in Arteta’s reign.

The final 23 minutes, though, did not pass without incident. Chelsea’s midfielder, Mateo Kovacic was controversially sent off for a second bookable offense. This decision from the referee Anthony Taylor left Frank Lampard scathing with him.

On the 81st minute, another flashpoint arose. This time, it concerned Emiliano Martinez.

Chelsea’s substitute, Tammy Abraham was adamant that the shot-stopper had handled a long ball forward outside the penalty area, which prompted VAR review.

After consultations with the VAR, there reached a decision that with no doubt came as a major relief to Martinez and his teammates. The replay showed the goalkeeper had claimed the ball inside his 18-yard box.

With the incident not having any impact on Arsenal’s quest for the FA Cup, Martinez has seen the funny side of the incident taking shape on social media.

At the time Martinez claimed the ball inside the penalty area, Wembley advertising boards were displayed an advert on the much-loved video game-Pokemon.

The fact that Pokemon was the advert at that instance prompted jokes from the former Sheffield Wednesday loanee, insisting he was carrying out his very best effort to catch Pikachu.

On Instagram, Martinez shared a picture of him catching the ball captioned, “my best moment at Wembley was catching a Pokemon”.