LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Emiliano Martinez of Arsenal takes a goal kick during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on July 07, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal to stick with Martinez: New deal possible

Jul 10, 2020

Arsenal look likely to stick with Emi Martinez and perhaps even offer him a new contract this summer, rather than going out to buy a replacement.

Arsenal's Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez collects the ball during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on July 4, 2020. (Photo by MIKE EGERTON / POOL / AFP) — Arsenal’s Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez collects the ball on July 4, 2020. (Photo by MIKE EGERTON / POOL / AFP)

The Mirror report Arsenal now plan to keep Emi Martinez, and could even give him a new deal. The 27-year-old still has a couple of years left on his contract, but we know that’s when the club want to make their decisions on keeping or selling players.

Before the injury to Bernd Leno, it looked like Arsenal would sell. The goalkeeper was reportedly considering his future given his lack of games, and the club were searching for potential replacements in the transfer market as a result.

Now that Martinez is playing – and playing well – the situation is different. Arsenal hope the extra game-time will convince Martinez to stay. Whilst his form is showing them they don’t need to go out and search for a new backup.

Head coach Mikel Arteta is happy to stick with the Argentine goalkeeper.

Personally, I’m happy with this news. Martinez has eight clean sheets in 16 starts this season, a very solid record. He’s let in two goals in the last five games and could do little about either, whilst making plenty of good saves.

Anyone Arsenal bring in will be a financial gamble for little upgrade, if any. That’s just the nature of the current market. So focus the funds on positions where we actually need the help.