Arsenal’s Goal in Crisis Mode for Anderlecht Match, Emiliano Martinez to Start

Arsenal need a pick-me-up like none other. They’ve been completely lackluster all season long and following a near-disaster draw against Hull City, the Gunners next task is a UEFA Champions League clash against Anderlecht. Normally, I’d be very confident in Arsenal’s ability to rebound, but there is a major degree of trepidation where we’d least expect it: in goal.

With Wojciech Szczesny serving his suspension and David Ospina out with a thigh injury, the sheriff badge falls onto the shirt of Emiliano Martinez, a 22-year old keeper that has really failed to make any sort of mark in the Arsenal system.

Martinez has made two first-team appearances and to say that they didn’t go well is an understatement. Despite winning both games, he’s conceded six goals, one to Coventry and five to Reading.

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But that was in 2012.

This is 2014.

Arsenal has some of the best scouts and one of the best youth development systems in the world, and Martinez was very highly-touted from the onset. While he’s failed to make his claim to one day being a first-team keeper, there’s still plenty of time.

It goes without saying, but this is an incredibly huge match for Martinez, along with being massive for all of Arsenal in general. Anderlecht may not be a European powerhouse, but any Champions League club is something of a strong side, and they are surely a superior team then who Martinez has faced in the past.

It’s time to see what Martinez has learned in the two years since he last played. He knows what’s at stake.

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