Arsene Wenger admits he’s very happy for former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who will play in the World Cup final this weekend.

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR: Emi Martinez of Argentina celebrates the team's first goal scored by Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR: Emi Martinez of Argentina celebrates the team’s first goal scored by Lionel Messi during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia at Lusail Stadium on December 13, 2022. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Arsenal have a complicated relationship with former goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who spent 10 years as an Arsenal player and won an FA Cup (plus a few Community Shields) with the club, but has since moved on to Aston Villa.

Martinez should have left with a lot of goodwill, having waited patiently for his chance at Arsenal before taking it in the best possible way, but his post-departure interviews have steadily and consistently eroded that goodwill.

As a result, many fans are struggling to feel happy for their former goalkeeper as he prepares to play in the World Cup final with Argentina on Sunday.

However, Martinez’s former boss Arsene Wenger showed no such hesitance, speaking in an interview this week.

“I am very happy for him,” Wenger said. “We were aware of his huge qualities. He was determined and had a desire to learn and a big passion for the game.

“Sometimes he went out on loan and didn’t even play. But it didn’t stop his belief and motivation.

“When I see him now play knowing what he went through I admire even more his achievement. Well done Emi, we are proud of you.”

Gabriel Martinelli and Emi Martinez during the Arsenal Training Session at The University of Maryland (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Gabriel Martinelli and Emi Martinez during the Arsenal Training Session at The University of Maryland (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Wenger often maintains strong relationships with his former players, so it’s no real surprise to see that’s the case here.

It also wasn’t Wenger’s Arsenal that Martinez left, with the French manager having already departed the club years earlier.

However Arsenal fans feel about their former goalkeeper, there’s no denying the success he’s had on an international level, helping Argentina to win Copa America, the Finalissima, and to reach a World Cup final.

In club football, his sole team honours remain the ones he won with Arsenal.