ARSENAL appeared to confirm Emiliano Martinez’s exit by leaving him out of the squad to face Fulham.
Martinez is closing in on a £60,000-a-week transfer to Aston Villa after a decade at The Emirates.
Emiliano Martinez has been left out of Arsenal’s squad to face FulhamCredit: EPA
Brighton are also in the running to land the keeper, 28, who won the FA Cup with Arsenal last season after stepping in for the injured Bernd Leno.
Martinez was today left out of Mikel Arteta’s squad to play Fulham, with Leno starting in goal and Matt Macey on the bench.
New signings Gabriel Magalhaes and Willian were handed their debuts while Mohamed Elneny was given a start after impressing in the Community Shield win against Liverpool.
Martinez, who has been a revelation between the sticks for the Gunners, wants to leave the club to be NO1 elsewhere and secure his place in Argentina’s team.
He was brought into Arteta’s side after the restart when Leno suffered a longterm injury.
But with the German international now returning to action, Martinez is expected to play second-fiddle.
Aston Villa have already bid £15million for the shot-stopper, which is short of Arsenal’s £20million valuation.
“The most likely scenario is that Emi Martinez leaves Arsenal because he wants to play,” his agent, Lucas Martinez Quarta, told TyC Sports.
Martinez wants to leave Arsenal to be NO1 elsewhere and play for the Argentina national teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“He dreams of being the starting goalkeeper for the national team and he is willing to leave his home [at Arsenal] for the worthy cause of being Argentina’s number one.”
And Arsenal fans on Twitter are sad to see the 6ft 5in keeper leave.
“Whether your future lies at the Emirates, Villa Park or anywhere else, you will always be one of us, @emimartinezz1.” Patrick Timmons wrote.
While Rauf wrote: “Leno starts, Macey on the bench. Emi is gone. Thanks for everything big man @emimartinezz1”.
And Eduardo Hagn penned: “Thank you for everything you’ve given to the club, @emimartinezz1! You will be remembered with greatness and with trophies to your name. Best luck for the future!”
Arsenal are looking to sell some of their players to raise funds for primary targets.
Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar have both been linked with big-money moves to North London.
The Gunners are also said to be interested in bringing in Brentford’s David Raya as Martinez’s replacement.
Ex-Celtic star Kieran Tierney says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has taught him whole new way of playing football
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
