Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has come under scrutiny for letting go of Emiliano Martinez, who has been hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League since his departure from the Emirates.
Despite the criticism, Arteta’s tenure at Arsenal has largely been deemed a success. He lifted the FA Cup in his debut season as manager and transformed the Gunners into consistent title contenders capable of surpassing 80 points in the league. Many argue that if not for Pep Guardiola’s dominant Manchester City side, Arteta might already have a Premier League title to his name.
The Spaniard has also been commended for reshaping the club’s culture, removing disruptive influences, and building a squad aligned with his philosophy. However, not every transfer decision has been flawless, with the sale of Martinez in 2020 emerging as a contentious point.
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The Argentine goalkeeper spent almost a decade at Arsenal, featuring in only 38 matches and enduring six loan spells before being sold to Aston Villa for £20 million. Since then, Martinez has been instrumental in Villa’s resurgence, helping them secure Champions League qualification and playing a pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Premier League icon Jussi Jaaskelainen has placed Martinez alongside Liverpool’s Alisson Becker as one of the top two goalkeepers in England. Speaking to Ladbrokes, the former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper praised Martinez’s journey and skillset.
Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It’s hard for me to name the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, so I’m going to put it down to two,” Jaaskelainen said. “Alisson is a monster in goal, but Emi Martinez is right up there with him.
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“Martinez’s move to Aston Villa has been incredible. He’s won the World Cup, the Copa America, and helped Villa get back into Europe. He’s big, strong, fast, great with the ball—he’s got everything. He’s also a commanding presence in the box and a great example for young players.”
Jaaskelainen emphasised Martinez’s perseverance through years of limited opportunities at Arsenal. “He’s a great lesson for young footballers. Before Villa, he hadn’t played more than 20 games for a team, but he took his chance when Bernd Leno got injured and won the FA Cup with Arsenal.
“Ultimately, it was the best move for everyone. If Arsenal didn’t see him as their No. 1, moving to Villa was the right decision. But to achieve what he has since leaving—it’s remarkable.”
Following Martinez’s departure, Arteta initially relied on Bernd Leno before signing Aaron Ramsdale and later David Raya to fill the goalkeeper position.
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