Although we’re certainly verging into ‘We have to be strong from set-pieces‘ just before we played West Brom territory, Arsene Wenger has backed Emi Martinez ahead of tonight’s game against Crystal Palace.
The 24 year old played his first Premier League game since 2014 when he kept a clean-sheet against West Ham last week, and with Petr Cech and David Ospina both sidelined through injury, he’ll continue in goal tonight at Selhurst Park.
According to the Arsenal manager, Martinez has all the qualities required to be a great goalkeeper.
“He is a player who, first of all, is top, top quality,” he told the official site. “He has the basic qualities for a goalkeeper – he has the size, he has the power, he has the technical level because he has worked with us for a long time now.
“But also he has that kind of mental confidence and quietness, that security he gives out when he is in goal that makes you think ‘it’s normal that I am here. I’m not intermittent, I am here to stay here.’
“You feel that, and he gives a kind of security out that’s very positive.
“Recently we have conceded goals, and I’ve always said it’s a team problem, not a defender’s problem.
“Before the West Ham game, knowing that Koscielny would not play, that Ospina and Cech would not play, being under pressure as well, I thought it could be a bit difficult, but overall we dealt with it very well and players like Martinez did very well.”
Let’s hope he can keep another clean-sheet this evening.
I hope Martinez plays good and puts on a great show.
He has been dedicated and patient. Never complained about not getting a start.
He’s passionate and has the right attitude.
Who wouldn’t want this guy to be a success for our club?
And maybe in time he develops a loud mouth so he could give a earful to our players when the defense is all over the place. 😉
Genuinely hope he does well and begins a challenge for the Number 1 Jersey.
If Ospina does leave in the summer, with Wojciech likely to return home and Cech not getting any younger, it makes for an interesting preseason on the goalkeeping side of things!
Reminds me of a young version of Szczesny, though possibly better.
Perhaps slightly less mental.
Just slightly..
Is it asking for too much if someone could get Jeorge Bird to do give his expert opinion about Martinez?? :
Don’t jinx him please…
A bit unfortunate today with the protection he was getting.
The Referee scored for Palace. NOrmally one of the better Refs he made a poor decision against Martinez when Giroud had a better shout for being hauled down earlier by Sakho.
But there you go.