ASTON VILLA goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed he is back in love with football after ending his ten-year spell with Arsenal.
The 28-year-old joined the Villans on a permanent deal last month after Mikel Arteta couldn’t guarantee he would be the No1 choice shot-stopper at the Emirates.
Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez helped Arsenal win the FA Cup last seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Martinez has impressed in his opening three Premier League games for Aston VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Martinez featured in just 38 games for the Gunners having been shipped off on six loan spells but received widespread praise for his performances last season.
The Argentine ace stood in for the injured Bernd Leno, where he helped Arsenal win the FA Cup, before starting in the Community Shield win over Liverpool this term.
And Martinez – who has conceded just twice in Villa’s three Premier League victories this campaign – has spoke of how he has left Arsenal on a high.
He told the Independent: “I was finally the No 1 and I was ready for it. It took 10 years to get there. You train as a goalkeeper every day, but nobody prepares you for the story of your life.
“Nobody trains you to be frustrated, nobody trains you to cry. What about when you don’t play for four months? Will you keep going or will be you be mentally dead?
“I could’ve done so much more over the years, but finally the world started to see what I’m capable of. I finished on a high and that’s how I always wanted to leave.”
Speaking of how the move to Villa came about after the Community Shield win, he added: “I thought if I played well that game, I would be No 1, but afterwards it still wasn’t clear who was going to start in the league.
“I was told that there was a 95 per cent chance I would start against Fulham [on the first day of the season], but I just thought, ‘why not 100 per cent?’ Something didn’t feel right.
“Everyone wanted me to stay, but that’s when I decided to go. The following morning I texted Mikel [Arteta] and told him.
“I thanked him, I said I won these trophies because of the way he trained, the way he changed the team. I trust his process so much, he is incredible.”
Martinez then said: “Before I signed the [Villa] contract, I breathed deeply and said no matter what happens, I will never look back.
“I rejected a lot of clubs and then, in my first game, I saved a penalty and had a man of the match performanc
“That is where I’m at now. I told my wife just the other day, I feel like I’m so in love with football again, like I’ve never known before.”
Kieran Tierney trains with Arsenal squad members
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
