Emiliano Martinez has been voted as the 52nd best footballer in the world by the Guardian less than two years after leaving Arsenal.
Big mistake?
Arsenal sold Martinez for £17 million back in the summer of 2020, and that decision is starting to look like a real error.
At the time Mikel Arteta decided to back Bernd Leno as his number one over Martinez, but it does seem he got the call wrong.
While Martinez has excelled at Aston Villa, Leno has lost his place as number one.
Of course, Arsenal fans are now delighted with their goalkeeping options – as Aaron Ramsdale has impressed since coming in.
But there is little doubting that they let Martinez go too cheaply in the end.
Brilliant year
He enjoyed a wonderful 2021, where he starred for Villa and Argentina.
Martinez played a key role as Argentina won the Copa America and he has also caught the eye in the Premier League through his showings.
The Guardian now rank him as one of the very best footballers in the world and place him among the highest ranked goalkeepers in the sport.
The list may through up a question of what might have been for Arsenal.
But Villa will surely regard the signing of Martinez as one of their finest pieces of business ever.
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