Reason behind Emi Martinez leaving Arsenal revealed, chat with Mikel Arteta played key role

Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez has left the club to sign for Aston Villa, joining Dean Smith’s men on a four-year deal for around £16m.

Reports over the weekend claimed a deal was complete for Martinez to move to Villa Park, where the Argentine will go straight in as the number one under Smith.

The move comes as a suprise of sorts given Martinez’s impressive last six months for the Gunners. The 28-year-old was instrumental as Arsenal won the FA Cup, while he also played his part in winning the Community Shield last month.

However, the Daily Mail has revealed why Martinez took the decision to leave. According to their report, the stopper decided to move on after Mikel Arteta told him he’d be playing Bernd Leno as his number one all season. Furthermore, it is believed Arteta refused to budge on rotation in the cup competitions, meaning Martinez would struggle for any minutes all season.

It seems, then, that Martinez was unwilling to play second-fiddle after seemingly cementing himself in the Gunners’ XI. He will, then, be hoping to find his spot at Villa Park and become a Premier League regular from now on.

Unsurprising but Arteta seems to not shy away from big decisions – TBR View

Mikel Arteta is building quite the reputation for himself already so it’s little surprise that he was frank with Martinez over his future.

Leno is an international goalkeeper of the highest quality who the Gunners paid big money for. There was, then, no way he wasn’t going to come into this season as the number one if he was fit.

A move to Villa is good for Martinez anyway. He needs to be playing and at 28, will be entering his prime as a goalkeeper.

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