Martial given hero’s welcome by AEK fans with flares as Arsenal icon says ‘can’t remember last time he was real player’
ANTHONY MARTIAL was given a hero’s welcome by AEK Athens as fans lit flares following his shock free transfer.
The former Manchester United dud has joined the Greek giants following his Old Trafford exit this summer.
Martial was allowed to depart for nothing after his contract expired.
And he has now found a new home with ambitious AEK, who have made a flurry of interesting signings this summer.
Former Premier League stars Erik Lamela, Roberto Pereyra and Thomas Strakosha were also signed on frees.
And AEK also came close to landing David Datro Fofana from Chelsea before negotiations collapsed late on.
But they have hit the mark with signing of Martial, who agreed a move after seeing a switch to Brazilian giants Flamengo fall through.
The former Sevilla loanee touched down in the Greek capital last night after penning a contract.
And he was given a rapturous welcome by supporters at the airport.
Fans lit flares and chanted Martial’s name as he stepped off the plane.
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And the Frenchman was loving the adoration as he posed for an epic picture before being driven away.
Martial will certainly be hoping for a fresh start at his new club after a poor nine years at United.
He was signed in 2015 from Monaco for a fee potentially worth up to £58million, smashing the transfer record for a teenager.
Martial scored 17 goals in 49 games in his first campaign.
But it would prove to be the highest amount of appearances he’d make in an entire season at United.
Martial was hit by various injury problems and struggles for form throughout the years.
In total, he ended up with just 90 goals in 317 games.
And Martial is now hoping for greater things with AEK, who sit top of the Greek Super League after four games.
They finished runners-up to PAOK last term and will be hoping to reclaim the title they won in 2023.
However, former Arsenal and Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit has questioned whether his compatriot still has the “desire” to keep playing.
He said: ‘I can’t remember the last time (Martial) was a proper footballer on the pitch, producing good performances.
“Maybe he should ask himself this question, does he have the desire to keep on going with his career? Because I have the feeling that the last few years was very difficult for him on and off the pitch.
“It’s quite difficult to get a good mind coming in every morning at the training ground and try to give your best all the time because you have a problem in your life, you have a problem in the dressing room, you have problems everywhere.
“So, if I was Anthony Martial, I would ask myself the question in the mirror. Do I still want to be a professional footballer?”