Emi Martinez says that it’s time for clarity over his Arsenal future, and that it’s now or never when it comes to assessing his next career move.
The 26 year old has been with the Gunners since 2012, but in that time has only made 14 appearances in all competitions.
He’s currently on loan at Reading, and gaining plaudits for his performances as the Royals battle against relegation, but what happens this summer remains up in the air.
He spoke recently about how he’d been promised games this season, but with Bernd Leno and Petr Cech sharing the first team duties, another loan spell was required, and he’s now considering what comes next.
“I’ve been around a lot, but for me it’s now time to settle in one place,” he told Charles Watts at Goal.
“I’m at an age now where I have a newborn baby and me and my wife want to settle. I’m tired of going on loan.
“Obviously I love Arsenal, but it’s time for me to make it there or go somewhere else.”
If given the choice though, it sounds as if he’d be quite happy to remain an Arsenal player, even if was as second choice to Leno.
“My dream is to play for Arsenal, I’ve always said that and I believe I have everything that a keeper needs to play for Arsenal,” he said.
“If they don’t trust me, then I will have to move away and the Arsenal fans will understand.
“But I believe I should have the chance to show how good I am at Arsenal.”
Let’s keep him as a #2 next season. Under Unai’s care, he may grow and become a better goalkeeper.
He makes a good point but if he’s deemed not good enough then I wouldn’t keep him for sentimental reasons. Let’s say Leno gets a bad injury in September, do we really trust Emi enough to have him be our number 1 for a couple of months? Personally, I’d sell Emi and Ospina this summer and get someone like Tom Heston as back up keeper. I obviously would love nothing more than for Emi to come good, just as I would with Jenkinson, but you have to be realistic and take emotions out when you’re making the decision. Emi does… Read more »
Possibly, but I’m not sure Emery will bring him back. I think he’ll buy a new No. 2 in the Summer, funds permitting, and that will spark a clear-out of keepers, Martinez and “the forgotten man”, Ospina.
His wages are probably less than a new signings would be so unless there’s a fantastic opportunity we should give him a season as number 2
On top of that, I believe he counts as home grown, which could have some real importance next season.
Always thought he should have been given a chance instead of bringing in Ospina
Most of the times I’ve seen him play for arsenal it’s been a bit ‘meh’ and that shocker he had against reading comes to mind although it was a few years ago now. I wouldn’t really mind either way if we kept or sold him, anyome here who follows reading who can give us an insight on how good he is at the moment?
That game against Reading was nearly 7 years ago, so he was only a 20 year-old at the time – still very young for a keeper. I must admit, when he was coming through initially I thought he looked a bit suspect, but (as per James’s comments on the Arsecast Extra the other week) he’s looked reasonably solid to me in the last few appearances he’s made for us. He’s obviously not going to be competing with Leno for the keeper’s spot, but he’s a decent back-up. I don’t think we’re in a position just yet to be having a… Read more »
Every keeper had “that shocker “ in their career. Maybe you want to check Leno’s Bundesliga highlights, Ospina’s behind the line saves, Karius champions league performance etc.
If a keeper doesn’t play constantly hoe can you tell if he’s good or not? Are you keeping tabs on him at Reading? Yes enlighten us
Keeper is one of the areas we have to be concern with. We have plenty of other priorities this summer with a wide player, a midfielder and of course the perennial Cback issue. BUT we musn’t drop the ball on keeper either. Ospina is still unresolved. If we don’t find anyone in market, Martinez will potentially be in contention. Its difficult to say where he is right now. One cannot judge him on the past. The other issue of course is wages. We will free up money with Koscielny and Cech likely to step down, Welbeck may be moved on,… Read more »
Koscielny step down?
I doubt it, he is currently playing his best in years. He is only 33 (34 come September), he easily has another good year in him, maybe two.
Suggesting Koscielny steps down
might have brought you all of those thumbs down.
Emi is a good keeper who’s doing very well at Reading on loan. He spent years with our crap goalkeeping coach and has stepped up once he got some decent coaching. I believe he’s good enough for us next season and hope he gets the chance to prove it. Whatever happens he needs to play, he’s better than the keepers we could afford to buy, and is a homegrown player. He’s an Arsenal youth product, all youngsters have blips along the way, but forget what happened years ago and look at what’s happening now and he’s definitely worth a punt.
Agree with all of this and definite plus that he’s homegrown.