Emiliano Martinez fires Arsenal exit warning after fine run as Bernd Leno's stand-in: 'I need more games'

Super stand-in: Emiliano Martinez has performed brilliantly for Arsenal with first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno sidelined
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Matt Davies9 August 2020

Emiliano Martinez has warned that limited opportunities next season would force him to leave Arsenal as he looks to nail down a place in the Argentina national team.

The 27-year-old has proven an impressive stand-in following Bernd Leno's season-ending knee injury suffered against Brighton back in June, featuring in every game since.

Martinez made a crucial first-half save as Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup Final last weekend and later broke down in tears of joy during his post-match interview.

The goalkeeper believes he has now shown his capabilities at the highest level and will not settle for a back-up role moving forward.

“I have shown the club that I can play for them and when I return next season I need to have more games," Martinez told Argentine radio station Continental. “That is the only way I will stay at Arsenal.

"My target is to consolidate my place with Arsenal and to reach the Argentinian national team as number one.

“I won’t stop until I get that and if I don’t play for Arsenal, then clearly I would move on.”

While Martinez has only been given a sustained run in the Arsenal first team this season, it was in 2010 that he first completed a £1.1million move from Argentine side Independiente.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Chelsea, FA Cup Final 2020

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Having undergone loan spells with Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves, Getafe and Reading, Arsenal are now reportedly looking to hand the goalkeeper a contract extension.