Arsenal: Emiliano Martinez Not Ready To Deputise

Given Ospina and Szczesny’s uncertain futures, it is essential that Arsene keeps one of the two stoppers at Arsenal given Martinez’s inability to deputise.

Firstly, let me point out that this article is not aiming to criticise Martinez’s goalkeeping ability as such, but to highlight the slightly problematic situation Arsenal has found itself in with their goalkeepers.

As one of our co-editors here Andrew recently pointed out: Arsenal have a brilliant trifecta of goalkeepers at the club at present and there are no problems regarding the starting goalkeeping position given Cech’s brilliant debut campaign (where he picked up the golden glove ahead of the much heralded David de Gea)

The problem lies with the fact that two of our current deputy goalkeepers are seemingly too good to deputise and are looking to find more starting opportunities elsewhere. I completely understand the situation. But I think Le Prof needs to make sure one of Ospina or Szczesny stays as a backup for Petr Cech for the upcoming season.

Should both of these keepers leave the club then Arsenal would be left with Emiliano Martinez as the deputy to our shot stopping Czech. Although Goalkeeper is not an injury prone position (proven by the fact that Cech only got injured last season while venturing forward for a corner), Cech is well beyond the wrong side of 30 and could need the odd rest in the Premier league and definitely the cup competitions with Arsenal set for another heavy fixture schedule.

Yet the fact that Martinez would then take his place in such a situation does not instill me with much confidence. Martinez could still become a very able goalkeeper at Arsenal football club but at the minute he is not up to the quality required to be Cech’s back-up.

Evidence of this is shown in last year’s loan spell. With all due respect to Wolverhampton Wanderers and the rest of the Championship, a goalkeeper that cannot retain his place in an average Championship side does not have the required quality (yet) to be second choice at a club as big as Arsenal.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

I hate to think of a situation where Ospina and Szczesny have both been sold and Cech suffers a long term injury early on in the season leaving Martinez as the main man between the sticks.

The last time Martinez deputised for Arsenal in the Premier League he did an admirable job. But I seem to remember Arsenal being on the end of a first half drubbing by Stoke while Emi was guarding the goal. This traumatic memory does not help Martinez’s case for a starting birth anytime soon for the Gunners.

In a perfect world, I would like to see both Szczesny and Martinez loaned out again for a season. That leaves Ospina to fight Cech for the starting role next year (this is based on Ospina’s Copa America performance and his stint in the first team last season, Olympiakos aside…).

If the Columbian is still unhappy next summer then we can bring back the two mentioned above and release David to a club that offers more first team football. That leaves Szczesny, Martinez and even Macey to learn from the masterful Cech while giving the best of the lot the starting position once Cech no longer has age on his side.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted FIFA 17 Player Ratings

So what do you think Gooners? Is Martinez good enough to deputise in the absence of Petr Cech or should Arsene hold onto one of Ospina and Szczesny for next season?

Home/Arsenal News