A handful of Arsenal supporters have jokingly taken credit for Argentina's win over France in the World Cup final. While Lionel Messi stole the limelight, former Gunners goalkeeper Emi Martinez was the star of the show after making several crucial saves.
In the dying embers of extra-time, the Aston Villa shot-stopper denied Randal Kolo Muani with a spectacular intervention to keep his nation's hopes of international glory alive. After singe-handedly keeping Argentina in the game and sending the tie to a penalty shootout, Martinez was called upon again.
Kylian Mbappe, who stepped up first for Didier Deschamps' side, found no issue in beating the 30-year-old from 12-yards for the third time of the evening. But, the France star's teammates struggled to block out Martinez's dark arts.
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The former Arsenal goalkeeper stopped Kingsley Coman before taking the mind games to a whole new level. Aurelien Tchouameni, who took Les Bleu's third effort from the spot, dragged his penalty wide just moments after Martinez had tossed the ball away.
The referee booked the Argentine for his unsportsmanlike conduct but he had already won the mental battle by then. Martinez's antics dominated the shootout, with dances, jigs and jeers igniting the wall of Argentina fans behind the goal into the full voice.
As Messi lifted the World Cup, Arsenal fans quickly intervened and - in jest - took credit on behalf of the north London side. The theory is that had former Brighton striker Neal Maupay not injured former Gunners shot-stopper Bernd Leno during the behind closed doors pandemic games then Martinez would not have been handed his break at the highest level.
The Argentine goalkeeper took the opportunity to impress in the Arsenal first-team by the scruff of the neck and he later earned a £20million to Aston Villa in 2020. Martinez extended his great vein of form at Villa Park and eventually secured a place as his homeland's No.1 goalkeeper.
As they say, the rest is history. And Messi, according to Arsenal fans, can thank the Gunners for harbouring Martinez as the club's backup option to Leno after he nearly left the Emirates Stadium earlier in his career.
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