Emiliano Martnez, the goalkeeper for Aston Villa, made his European debut in 2010 when Arsenal signed him from Club Atlético Independiente.
The Argentina international spent time on loan with the Gunners before being given regular opportunities in the 2019/20 season. Bernd Leno’s injury gave the 31-year-old the opportunity to shine at Arsenal.
However, Mikel Arteta was unable to secure Martnez’s No. 1 position, which convinced him to leave the Emirates.
Martnez admitted to L’Equipe that the manager was unhappy with his decision to leave Arsenal for Aston Villa in 2020. The goalkeeper has been a regular at Villa Park, which has helped him make his Argentina debut in 2021.
He has been first-choice for the national team since then and was part of the squad that won the Copa América and the World Cup.
“I had a discussion with Mikel Arteta, my coach at Arsenal, and I told him that my dream was to play for the national team and that for that I had to leave,” the Yashin Trophy winner said of his departure from Arsenal.He didn’t like it, but he understood; he promised me an exit voucher, and Aston Villa took a chance on me. I was able to achieve my goal thanks to this club, and we are playing in a European cup for the first time in thirteen years this year. It’s a win-win situation.”
The Villans goalkeeper has stated that his desire to play for La Albiceleste is what prompted him to leave Arsenal.
“It was my dream, my motivation. Although I must admit that when I was 24 and not playing in Spain, there was a time when I thought my career was over. “I then considered returning to Argentina to play for Independiente,” Martnez explained.
“I had no idea what to do.” I was stuck in a bottomless pit with no way out. When I saw the light, I knew I was going to get there, that I was going to take off.”
Aston Villa extended the South American’s contract until 2027 in January 2022.
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