Arsenal are FA Cup winners…again.For a record 14th time, the Gunners lifted the famous trophy after overcoming Chelsea in an entertaining final at Wembley.Christian Pulisic had put the Blues ahead after just five minutes but a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang brace gave Mikel Arteta his first trophy in his short managerial career.While Aubameyang will get the headlines for his match-winning brace, Emiliano Martinez is also getting plenty of attention.The Argentine goalkeeper has been brilliant in recent weeks following Bernd Leno’s season-ending injury.
It’s actually easy to forget Martinez joined the north London club back in 2010 as a 17-year-old.It’s believed he left his country by himself to help his family, who were struggling financially.After arriving at the Emirates, Martinez had six loan spells at Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves, Getafe and Reading.In just his second Arsenal appearances, he conceded five goals against Reading in a League Cup match.And in his first eight years at the club, he played just 12 league games.
But he got his chance this campaign after Leno suffered a serious ankle injury against Brighton in June.Since then, Martinez has been brilliant and got his big chance as he was handed a start in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.After helping Arsenal to a 2-1 victory in the final, it was all too much for Martinez.BBC reporter Dan Walker asked what it meant for his family and the ‘keeper couldn’t contain the tears any longer as he broke down before being comforted by Aubameyang.
Later, he was seen FaceTiming - presumably his family - as he sat on the edge of the pitch.
What a journey.
If that wasn’t enough for Arsenal fans to love him, official Tunnel Cam footage captures Martinez saying “I don’t care about the money” after a conversation with someone at the club.
We can only assume that an FA Cup bonus was mentioned and Martinez clearly had no interest in picking up a financial reward.
Winning the trophy was more than enough for him.
What a guy.