Arsenal will try to sign Emi Martinez to a new contract after his success in the FA Cup, but the goalkeeper doesn’t want to return to the bench afterwards.

After a fairytale couple of months for Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez, the club are looking to tie him down to a new contract. The 27-year-old’s current deal expires in 2022, and The Times report the Gunners are keen to keep him for longer.

Martinez started the season as a backup, but solely featured in the Europa League and the cups. However, following Bernd Leno’s injury, he finally got a run in the Premier League, impressing fans.

The Times claim Arsenal are accelerating their efforts to sign him to a new deal as a result. His current contract lasts until 2022, so now is probably the time to extend or sell.

Martinez is making it clear that he doesn’t want to return to being a backup, though. The end of the season went by without any dramas because Leno wasn’t fit to play anyway. But that will change next season when the two of them are competing for one spot.

If the Argentine goalkeeper feels he’s heading for another run of years on the bench, you could hardly blame him for taking the chance to move on. So it’s up to Mikel Arteta to decide whether he wants Martinez to start, and to convince him to sign if he does.