
3. He’s experienced
At just 24 years old, Martinez is an experienced campaigner having played 36 times in all competitions for Ajax last season – 24 of those in the league and eight in the Champions League.
Not only that but Martinez is also capped by the Argentine national team. While only appearing seven times, it is still valuable experience that could prove telling.
In 2021/22, Lisandro Martínez ranked in the 95th percentile of centre-backs for passes into the final third and possession won in the middle third per 90 minutes.@muhammadbutt 🤝 Mikel Arteta.
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 17, 2022
For the 2020/21 campaign with Ajax, the defender featured 42 times in all competitions, again in the Champions League and Europa League. He also managed it the previous two years. All up, three years of Champions League experience to call upon in the Premier League is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Last season, we saw the effect of inexperience as it cost Arsenal a top-four spot. Out of the current squad, only a handful of players have Champions League exposure and are equipped to deal with such pressure. Martinez is another one to add to the list.