Arsene Wenger has explained his decision to send young goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on loan to Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Martinez, who is 23-years-old, played for the Gunners during their two pre-season competitions, the Barclays Asia Trophy and the Emirates Cup. He impressed on the tour, but his manager feels it would be best for him to get regular game time elsewhere, for now.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Wenger said: “He’s 23 years old now and I believe he’s in the period of his life where he needs to play and show how good he is.
“We wanted to give him competition because he was in the No 3 position here,” said Wenger.
If the youngster were to stay at the Emirates this season, he’d be competing with Petr Cech and David Ospina – both of whom are international goalkeepers, with Ospina having played and impressed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It is unlikely that barring suspension or injury to his fellow ‘keepers, he’d make Arsenal’s Premier League matchday squads.
Wenger feels that Wolves is a good place for him to ply his trade in 2015/16: “I’m convinced that Wolves have made a very good loan signing there because he will save them points.”
Arsenal have already sent Wojciech Szczęsny on loan to Roma this summer too.
