Paul Robinson has told Stadium Astro that Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez is not consistent enough to be considered a “top-class” goalkeeper – suggesting Arsenal would not have sold the stopper if he was that good.
Martinez, 30, has clocked up 91 appearances for Villa since leaving Arsenal in 2020. It comes after 10 years at Arsenal in which he managed just 38 appearances – as well as going on loan five times to the likes of Wolves, Reading and Getafe.
In his 91 Villa outings, he has clocked up 30 clean sheets and conceded 114 goals. After a wonderful first season, his form – much like Villa’s – has dropped off. But he has become Argentina’s no.1 goalkeeper during his time at Villa Park.
Indeed, he is a hero to Lionel Messi – after his pennalty-shootout heroics to win the Copa America in 2021. Robinson, though, is not his biggest fan. He says Martinez lacks the consistency of a top-level goalkeeper, after his Arsenal stint.
“He’s not a top-class goalkeeper. He’s not top level. There’s a reason he was at Arsenal for so long, without playing. Arsenal have had some poor goalkeepers over the years. Martinez spent so much time as a no.2,” Robinson said.
“He got the opportunity to go to Villa, great first season at Villa. But he hasn’t been consistent enough to keep himself at the top level. He hasn’t played regularly enough at his age to put him in the bracket of top-class goalkeepers.”
Robinson: Villa goalkeeper Martinez not consistent enough
Martinez has been a stalwart for Villa at the back. His career is quite remarkable in that he failed to play for Arsenal for so many years, but when he finally got his break, it left people wondering why he had warmed the bench for so long.
The goalkeeper himself, might have dreamed of the career he has now. Arsenal had the decision to sell Martinez or Bernd Leno, and chose Martinez. With Leno at Fulham, that would suggest that the Gunners made the wrong choice.
But Robinson is right to some degree. Martinez is a good goalkeeper. Proven in the Premier League, and alongside Messi for Argentina. But his form has been up and down of late, and lacks proper consistency to be a top-tier player.
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