Barring any last minute change, Emiliano Martinez will be a Aston Villa player before the end of the week for £20m.
The Arsenal goalkeeper has been vociferous of his plans to start in every game for the Gunners. Emiliano Martinez profited from an injury to first choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno who got injured after a clash with Brighton Neal Maupay.
Emiliano Martinez shoned brightly in his unexpected first team opportunities as Arsenal won the FA cup and Community shield. His spectacular saves, calmness, and distribution of ball endeared him to the heart Arsenal fans as many clamoured for him as the club first choice goalkeeper. This probably got into Emi Martinez head as he started asking for a starting shirt and won’t accept anything less than that.
Bernd Leno has been Arsenal best player until the injury against Brighton. He saved the Arsenal numerous times under Unai Emery who turned Arsenal to a mediocre club. The gunners faced more than thirty shots against relegated Watford which shows what Leno have survived.
Emiliano Martinez came in at a time Arsenal was enjoying some stability under Mikel Arteta. They lost just two matches in the period Martinez featured which showed that it’s not about Martinez alone but the club as a whole.
This is not to rubbish Martinez efforts because the Argentine has been superb since coming in as Arsenal number one.
Aston Villa move is totally wrong
In as much as I would have loved Emiliano Martinez to stay at Arsenal, I believe his wishes need to be respected. He have the qualities to be a decent keeper and can play for any mid-table club. Despite this, I believe his impending move to Aston Villa is ill-advised. It is an act of desperation that could backfire.
Aston Villa escaped relegation with just a point separating them and Bournemouth last season. They will be in the relegation fight this season too. Their conceded goals statistics is alarming as they conceded 67 goals which is the second highest in the 2019/2020 premier league season. Their championship performance in 2018/2019 season saw them concede 61 goals which is an increase from 2017/2018 42 goals.
A look at the game week 1 matches in the 2020-21 premier league season shows what’s in store for Aston Villa.
You can deduce from the above that Aston Villa will concede atleast 50 goals this season which will paint Emiliano Martinez bad. It’s not going to be only his fault but the whole Aston Villa team poor performance.
Aston Villa have not shown any sign of seriousness in the transfer market and that might lead to their drop to the Championship. Grealish cannot be relied upon in every matches. He won’t play all the positions especially the defense where they are lacking quality players.
Emiliano Martinez is toeing the path of former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski who left the club for Swansea in search of first team opportunities. Swansea eventually got relegated and Lukas Fabianski transfer to Westham to avoid the Championship oblivion.
It’s not all about the premier league. There are other teams out there that can do better financially and trophy wise than Aston Villa.
Take a look at Wojciech Szczęsny. The Polish international goalkeeper was on Arsenal books before being shipped out on loan to Serie A As Roma. His performance there earned him a move to Juventus where he served as backup to Gianluigi Buffon before taking first team shirt. He’s currently playing champions league football and winning trophies.
Ospina is another example that found solace in Napoli. Leno arrival means lack of playing chances and subsequently shipped to Napoli on loan. His first season performance made Napoli sign him on a permanent basis.
Emiliano Martinez agent can do better than Aston Villa. There is Inter Milan with the aging Samir Handanovic who is 36 years already and backup goalkeeper Daniele Padelli who is 34 years. They are a better club under Conte and Martinez will fit in seamlessly. He will have a better chance at trophies and national team callup.
Inter Milan new found love with Premier League players have made things easier for him and his agent. Inter Milan are in the champions league and hoping to beat Juventus to the Serie A gong.
Joining Aston Villa at the age of 28 means he will be 29 by the end of 2020-21 season and the chance of moving to a top club is slim if Aston Villa should get relegated. He will only be rotated among bottom clubs just like Fabianski left Swansea for another bottom club Westham.
I hope he rethink the Aston Villa decision and move to a better club. He deserves a top club where he will showcase his talent.
The ball is in Emiliano Martinez and his agent court. Follow Wojciech Szczęsny path to greatness or fade away like Lukasz Fabianski.
Let me know your thoughts below. Do you think Emiliano Martinez should join Aston Villa or find another top club.
