Ex-Arsenal star explains why Emiliano Martinez's antics 'annoy' him after Aston Villa goalkeeper repeats Argentina World Cup penalty heroics in Europa Conference League triumph over Lille

Martinez, whose penalty-saving prowess has helped Argentina to Copa America glory and a global crown at Qatar 2022, is now on the books of Aston Villa. Prior to joining the Villans in 2020, he had spent 10 years at the Emirates Stadium.

He was considered to be a quiet and unassuming character back then, but is now famed for his antagonistic behaviour that riles both opposing players and supporters. Martinez makes no apologies for that, despite picking up a reputation that can get him into trouble with match individuals, but Nasri has questioned why the 31-year-old feels the need to play up to the cameras.

Ex-France international Nasri, who spent three years on Arsenal’s books between 2008 and 2011, has told Canal Plus after seeing Martinez produce more penalty-saving heroics in Villa’s Europa Conference League win over Lille: “His behaviour annoys me because he wasn't like that before. I knew him when he was very young at Arsenal, he was very shy. And now, this behaviour has become his stock in trade. You stop a shot on goal, you don't need to abuse the opposition by telling them to ‘shh’. He doesn't need to do that. With his decisive save on [Randal] Kolo Muani, the penalty shootout against France, again this evening... he doesn't need to say ‘shh’ for people to talk about him.”

Martinez collected two bookings against Lille but was not sent off, as one came in normal time and another during the shootout. He is, however, expected to serve a suspension and sit out the first leg of Villa’s semi-final clash with Greek giants Olympiacos.