Mikel Arteta has handed Emi Martinez a challenge – show us how good you are over more than a few games.

Arsenal's Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (R) celebrates at the final whistle during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on June 28, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (R) celebrates at the final whistle during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Sheffield United and Arsenal at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, northern England on June 28, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW BOYERS / POOL / AFP)

It looked for all the world that Arsenal were on the hunt for another keeper to come in as number two for the new season.

Bernd Leno’s injury, however, has handed Argentine Emi Martinez the chance to show he is still he man for that role.

Although Arteta has challenged Martinez to show that he can be consistent over a longer period of time, it seems unlikely he will get that long to show himself before Leno returns and is given back the number one shirt.

There is a reason, after all, why Martinez has been at Arsenal for 10 years but only made 30 appearances – he hasn’t shown himself to be good enough to be a regular number one for Arsenal, but certainly has to be number two.

That being said, we’ve had some really awful goalkeeping coaches at the club over the last load of years and if Arteta’s team can get more from Martinez, I’m totally up for that.

“That’s what he’s been trying to do for a long period now at the club,” Arteta said. “As I said before, his preparation and his attitude has always been spot on.

“He’s been very respectful and very patient and now that he has the opportunity, he is grabbing it. But at this level it’s not about two, three, eight or 10 games.

“It’s about the consistency over a lot of games and that’s what he needs to prove now.”

No doubt helped by whatever magic potion Arteta has used on the defence that sits in front of Martinez, the 27-year-old has played four Premier League games this season so far and kept three cleansheets.

Madness.