Legend claims £20m Arsenal star isn’t ‘top-four’ material; Arteta ‘made a mistake’

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Arsenal legend Tony Adams has talked to Stadium Astro about Mikel Arteta’s decision to keep hold of Bernd Leno instead of Emiliano Martinez.

The Argentine had a spectacular finish to last season, helping the Gunners win the FA Cup. He also played a key role in helping Arsenal lift the Community Shield – but Arteta couldn’t promise him regular football.

As a result, Martinez decided to leave the club and Aston Villa snapped him up for £17 million (BBC). The Argentine saved a penalty on his debut and kept a clean sheet in his second league game for the Villans, which has raised questions about Arteta’s decision.

The former Gunners skipper feels Arteta has made the wrong choice and even claims Leno isn’t the man to help Arsenal finish in the top four.

Adams said: “Martinez was incredible in the cup run. He was sensational. What Leno does struggle with, for me, is crosses. Arteta’s gone, ‘no, Leno is my number one, I like him’ and he’s put all his faith in him. But I don’t believe he’s a top-four goalkeeper.

“Martinez was coincidence, everything fell into place for Arsenal in the cup competition last year. This goalkeeper comes in – been at the club for ten years and not played ten games – and he stops everything!

“He was a man possessed, he was incredible. For me he was the number one… but Arteta’s the man and he’s chosen a different goalkeeper.”

Was Arteta wrong to sell Martinez instead of Leno?

It was a tough call for Arteta and Arsenal in the summer. Martinez had certainly made his mark and many fans felt he deserved to take over the number-one role.

However, Leno’s performances before his injury should not be forgotten. The German saved Arsenal on multiple occasions, under Unai Emery and Arteta after he took charge of the team.

Financially, selling Martinez made more sense. Arsenal signed him for next to nothing more than a decade ago and Villa’s offer was too good to turn down, especially after the Argentine chose to leave.

Leno, on the other hand, cost Arsenal £20 million in summer 2018 (BBC). Arsenal wouldn’t have made a big profit if they decided to sell the German instead of Martinez, which made their final decision relatively easy.