Emiliano Martinez has revealed he predicted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s FA Cup final winning performance for Arsenal before kick-off at Wembley.
The Gunners captain struck twice as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the showpiece event, and earned Mikel Arteta his first piece of silverware as manager.
After Christian Pulisic had given the Blues an early lead, Aubameyang pulled Arsenal back into the game midway through the first half after being brought down in the penalty area by Cesar Azpilicueta.
And the Gabon international secured victory in the second half with a sublime finish, repeating his heroics against Manchester City in the semi-final.
The victory not only sees the Gunners end a disappointing season on a high, but also means they now qualify for next season’s Europa League.
And speaking to the BBC after the game, an emotional Martinez revealed how he’d predicted Aubameyang would win the final for Arsenal.
“I said to him before the game ‘you’re going to win us the game because you’re the captain’, and he did it,” Martinez said.
Aubameyang replied: “Big respect for this man, big respect.”
“We enjoyed today, and we are all happy. Emi is crying, that shows that he is really implicated in the game and the trophy.”
On Arteta’s impact on the club, Aubameyang added: “He deserved this win, he did a great job, and we are all happy to have him on board and follow him.”
