‘He has proven Arsenal and Arteta wrong’ – Peter Schmeichel has now told Mikel Arteta that World-class player he sold has now showed Arsenal they made a terrible mistake, he’s better than the players Gunners have in his position and has been better in goals than Arsenal’s replacements
‘He has proven Arsenal and Arteta wrong’ – Peter Schmeichel has now told Mikel Arteta that World-class player he sold has now showed Arsenal they made a terrible mistake, he’s better than the players Gunners have in his position and has been better in goals than Arsenal’s replacements
Emiliano Martinez’s journey through European football began at Arsenal, where he initially struggled to secure the regular playing time and recognition he craved, ultimately leading to his transfer to Aston Villa.
During Mikel Arteta’s first half-season in charge, Martinez seized his opportunity as the starting goalkeeper, showcasing solid form and convincing some fans that he was a better option than the established first-choice, Bernd Leno.
Despite his promising performances, the summer of 2020 saw Arteta decide to sell Martinez, opting to retain Leno as Arsenal’s primary goalkeeper.
In hindsight, this decision has been met with criticism, especially considering Martinez’s subsequent success at Villa, where he has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers.
In a recent match against Bayern Munich, Martinez kept a clean sheet, further solidifying his reputation.
Legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel remarked that Arsenal must now regard Martinez as “one that got away,” suggesting that the Gunners may have underestimated his long-term potential.
“Martinez, I think he has proven Arsenal wrong, for sure,” Schmeichel said, as quoted by Metro Sport.
“I think he’s a big personality and I think he’s helping that team [Villa] a lot. Will he be able to do the job at Man City? I don’t know.
“To be honest, I don’t know. But he’s a winner, obviously a World Cup winner; he’s just won the Copa [America]. So he’s getting there as well.”
While Martinez has thrived at Villa, it’s possible he could have struggled had he remained at Arsenal. Nevertheless, the club made a significant profit from his sale, which has become a point of reflection as his value continues to rise.
