Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Thank God it’s over

By Andrew Dowdeswell

Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Photo by RUI VIEIRA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Emiliano Martinez of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Emiliano Martinez of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images) /

4. Emiliano Martinez is for real

When Bernd Leno landed awkwardly on his leg in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, Emiliano Martinez was handed his first opportunity to get an extended run of starts as Arsenal’s number one. He had performed encouragingly in spot starts beforehand, but this was a very different challenge. Martinez, though, stepped up to the plate brilliantly.

This was another excellent performance from the Argentinian. He denied Danny Welbeck from a flying low saves, came out to block a one-on-one, spreading his body wide to close down the angle, and commanded his area superbly, especially from set-pieces. His distribution was excellent, too, playing several balls into midfield to release Arsenal from the Watford press.

What happens when Leno returns in the summer remains to be seen. The German had hardly done much wrong to lose his place. Equally, Martinez does not exactly deserve to be dropped either? Arsenal have two number one goalkeepers to choose between. It is a testament to Martinez’s performances that it is even a debate.