Emiliano Martinez has threatened to seek a transfer from Arsenal if he is not rewarded with enough playing time.
The goalkeeper jumped into the frame at the first team in 2012 after successfully coming through the ranks at the club’s academy before enjoying a loan stint with Oxford United.
Having found it difficult to secure himself playing time under the management of Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery, Martinez also took in loan spells at Sheffield Wedesday, Rotherham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Getafe and Reading.
He came back to the north London side after a six-month spell at Madejski Stadium last summer, and has again played as a back up to Bernd Leno throughout the 2018-19 campaign.
Mikel Arteta was compelled to hand the opportunity to the 27-year-old to become the club’s number one after the Germany international picked up a season-ending knee injury against Brighton & Hove Albion on June 20.
Martinez was impressive in between the sticks for the Gunners, who went to suffer only two defeats in their remaining 11 games of the 2019/20 season. He also showed great charisma as the club beat London rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup final to end the season on a high note despite finishing 10th in the Premier League.
For the shot-stopper it was an emotional moments for him as he got the chance to become an important figure at the Arsenal changing room after spending 10 years with the club.
Arteta’s side are reportedly willing to reward the player for his performances by handing him a new contract, but Martinez is said to be wanting assurances over his role in the team before committing his future to Arsenal.
“I have shown the club that I can play for them and when I return next season I need to have more games,” the Gunners star told Argentine radio station Continental. “That is the only way I will stay at Arsenal. My target is to consolidate my place with Arsenal and to reach the Argentinian national team as number one.
“I won’t stop until I get that and if I don’t play for Arsenal, then clearly I would move on.”
