Emiliano Martinez is now Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper after Petr Cech ended his career last season.
The 27-year-old enjoyed a fine loan spell at Reading in the second half of the previous campaign, helping the Royals avoid the drop in the Championship with some fine individual displays.
And now, the Argentine has sent out a warning to first-choice shot-stopper Bernd Leno, claiming he is out for his regular starting spot under Unai Emery.
Talking to Arsenal’s En America podcast, cited by football.london, Martinez said:
Last year Petr Cech started as a starter and Bernd Leno played the cups.
But this year Leno starts number one and I’m playing those competitions, although everything can change, because they left me at the club knowing that I can be number one.
We both play very well with our feet. Our coach tells everyone that we are one more player and told us that we are among the best goalkeepers who play with our feet, which is something very important for his game system.
He has more professional matches than me, but in qualities, I am equal to or better than him.
These Arsenal fans were quick to hear of the ‘keeper’s comments and shared their views on social media.
Twitter: @ArsenalFC_fl @jamesbenge yes this is the kind of mentality we need at the club, well done @emimartinezz1 (@averageopinion2)
Twitter: @GurjitAFC “Equal or better than Leno “ not sure about that one chief (@lonetoromassie)
Twitter: @ArsenalFC_fl @jamesbenge He’s not (@trickywhinger)
Read Arsenal verdict
There’s no doubting Martinez’s ability, however, we can’t see him taking Leno’s starting spot anytime soon.
The German has started the campaign in solid form, and unless he has a series of poor performances, Emery will more than likely stick with him.
Martinez will get his chance to stake his claim to Emery in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League over the coming months, and he knows he’ll have to be faultless in those appearances to have a chance of becoming the club’s permanent number one in the future.
Comments.
Loading comments…