Kepa Arrizabalaga was dubbed a 'pound shop Emiliano Martinez' after failing to get in Julian Alvarez's head
Kepa Arrizabalaga was called the 'pound shop Emiliano Martinez' after failing to psych out Julian Alvarez during Chelsea's 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.
City swept Chelsea aside at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening, going three goals up before halftime through Riyad Mahrez, Alvarez and Phil Foden.
Alvarez's effort came from the penalty spot after Kai Havertz's handball which even shook Blues manager Graham Potter to his core.
The Argentina international stepped up in the absence of usual penalty-taker Erling Haaland to double City's advantage. As he put the ball down, Arrizabalaga tried to have a chat with Alvarez.
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In an attempt to get in his head, Arrizabalaga put his hands on his knees and leant down to get in Alvarez's way. All the World Cup winner could do was smile before burying his spot kick in the bottom-left corner.
Alvarez will be familiar with Arrizabalaga's tactics, having spent a month at the World Cup with Argentina goalkeeper Martinez.
The Aston Villa star made headlines with his performances in Qatar, usually consisting of relentless mind games in penalty shootouts.
His exploits in the final against France were vital to Argentina winning their first World Cup since 1986.
Martinez managed to get in the heads of Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni, who missed their penalties at Lusail Stadium last month.
Arrizabalaga looked to Martinez for inspiration but couldn't emulate him. It saw BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker hit the Spain international with a savage insult.
During the game, former City defender Micah Richards remarked: "Not quite Emi Martinez, is he?"
Lineker then immediately responded: "Pound shop Emi Martinez."
Mahrez added a second penalty late in the second half to secure Pep Guardiola's side a fourth round meeting with either Arsenal or Oxford United.
Guardiola praised Alvarez for his performance and attitude in his first start since returning to Manchester as a world champion.
He told the club's official website: "I missed his happiness. He helped us a lot, with the World Cup. Today Julian feels and Riyad as well that the way we went there, how aggressive we were.
"He played really, really well. I said many times, we are now still in four competitions, so we need all the squad.
"Everyone is humble to accept the minutes for the team, they will be welcome to be part of this team."
Topics: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Julian Alvarez, FA Cup, Manchester City, Chelsea, Emiliano Martinez
Daniel Marland