It is well documented that goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez did not have the best time in a long spell at Arsenal before departing in 2020.
Martinez joined Arsenal in 2012, and after a horror show early on as he conceded five goals to Reading in the Carabao Cup, he embarked on several loan spells and seldom impressed.
A strong spell at Reading in 2018-19 meant that he became Arsenal’s number two under Unai Emery, with Bernd Leno the starter.
The goalkeeper was finally handed a chance when Leno picked up an injury under Mikel Arteta, and Martinez shone as Arsenal won the FA Cup. However, he was not promised a starting spot ahead of Leno, and departed for Aston Villa for around £17m.
Martinez has caused anger by criticising Arsenal for his lack of opportunities over the years on several occasions, and he is now thriving for Villa and Argentina. However, his agent has now praised Arsenal for their decisions over the years.
Agent of Emi Martinez praises Arsenal for loan decisions
Speaking to ESPN, Martinez’s representative Gustavo Goni claimed that Arsenal’s decisions to send the goalkeeper on several loan spells was a wise one and actually better for his development overall.
“Every time he went out on loan, due to ignorance, people believed that it was because he was doing poorly and it was the opposite,” Goni explained.
“Arsenal did not want him to make those mistakes in the First Division, so if he conceded all of those goals that all the goalkeepers did at Arsenal, he was never going to succeed there. If he concedes them elsewhere, he will learn.
“So, he said ‘let’s go, because I can only show that I am the best if I make saves.'”
Arsenal could not be blamed for decisions to loan out Emi Martinez
Martinez never impressed at Arsenal until his final few months. Although he is arguably the best penalty saver in the world right now, having bailed Argentina out of trouble in the Copa America this week, his only shootout at Arsenal saw him dive the wrong way on every single spot kick, after conceding five goals at Liverpool.
Over the years, Martinez was a young goalkeeping talent, but whenever he came into the team for cup games, he rarely showed that he could one day develop into a top player.
In 2014-15 Martinez was given a short run in the side following injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina, but he performed poorly, with a 3-2 defeat at Stoke a particularly damaging day.
Martinez going out on loan and performing with less pressure than he would have faced at Arsenal helped him become the goalkeeper he is in his prime years, and whilst Arteta may have some regrets over his sale, the reality is that the club could not put him in a position where he could make mistakes and continue to develop as a starter.