Emi Martinez kept a clean sheet away to Stoke City on Saturday, continuing his good form on loan with Reading and pushing for a chance at Arsenal when he returns.
Martinez made three key saves in his start against Stoke on Saturday, keeping his third clean sheet with his loan club and earning them a vital point in their fight to avoid relegation. The Reading fans were impressed with his showing once again:
Thanks to you, I’d say. Quality
— Dave Stevens (@shakefon) March 16, 2019
You deserve a statue outside the Mad Stad. Stellar performances.
— jordanOliver (@JordanWindle) March 16, 2019
Saved us again big man. Quality
— Max Cruttenden (@maxiebadger) March 16, 2019
The Arsenal loanee has had a couple of tough games with Reading so far, in defeats against promotion-chasers Sheffield United and Leeds. He made a combined nine saves across the two games, but with the number of high-quality chances his team were conceding he couldn’t do much to stop his opposition scoring seven goals anyway.
Other than that, Martinez’s first two months in Reading have been overwhelmingly positive. He’s helped pull them out of the relegation zone and earned praise from pretty much everyone involved with the club for his performances, maintaining an impressive save percentage of 77% so far.
With Petr Cech retiring in the summer, Martinez must have his eye on the number two spot at Arsenal. Perhaps even number one if he impresses next season. For now, he’ll be focusing on completing the job with Reading and keeping them in the Championship.