Lionel Messi predicted Emirates move for Arsenal’s current target back in 2012

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The Sun claimed on Saturday that Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez could leave the club this summer.

The Argentine has been a part of the Gunners since 2010 but first-team opportunities have been very few.

Martinez will reportedly consider his options this summer which will force Arsenal to look for a deputy to Bernd Leno.

The report claims that Mikel Arteta will target Southampton’s Fraser Forster if Martinez decides to leave the Emirates this summer.

The 6ft 7in giant is currently on loan at Celtic where he has had an impressive campaign. Southampton want to get him off their wage bill and Arsenal could help them get rid of him this summer.

Forster has earned a number of plaudits from many top players over the years. However, his biggest fan might just be Barcelona’s Lionel Messi who predicted that the shot-stopper will move to a club like Arsenal back in 2012.

Messi was quoted by the Express saying: “The performances of Fraser Forster against us were talked about for a long time. There was one game in Scotland where he was not human, it is the best goalkeeping performance I have seen.”

“When Victor Valdes said he was leaving we even talked about him [Forster] playing here. I was sure he would end up at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.”

Forster was a part of the Celtic squad that famously beat Barcelona in their own backyard back in 2012. The Catalan giants did get the win at Celtic Park thanks to Messi’s goal but the goalkeeper made him work hard for it.

Will Messi’s praise be enough to convince Arsenal?

Leno will certainly remain Arsenal’s first-choice irrespective of who comes in to replace Martinez this summer. Forster has a ton of experience in the Premier League and he could be of use for the Gunners in the domestic competitions.

Arsenal fans might not support the decision to bring in a player who Southampton no longer want in their squad. However, if the Gunners need any assurance over Forster’s signing, Messi’s words should do the job this summer.