Robin van Persie has posted on his Instagram story that his former Arsenal teammate, Emiliano Martinez, has become ‘one of the best’ goalkeepers at Aston Villa.
This comes after Martinez shared that, when he was in Arsenal colours, Van Persie would mock him by calling him ‘opposite’ because he would dive in the other direction when trying to save shots, as he told Amazon Prime.
Whilst Martinez struggled during his early days as a keeper, the Villa shot-stopper can now put his name amongst some of the best in the Premier League.
Last season, he helped Villa secure 15 clean sheets and he will be hoping to hit double figures again this term.
Nonetheless, this is the brilliant response Van Persie posted on his IG story to Martinez, as he made it clear that he was only trying to motivate him.
“My man @emi_martinez26. Was just saying that to motivate you. So nice to see you have become one of the best keepers in the world. Well done!”
Back when Van Persie was playing alongside Martinez, he was struggling to showcase his true worth and he was an error-prone goalkeeper.
It’s why he spent so many years out on loan and failed to cement his place for any side, whether it be in the Premier League or the Championship.
But, when he was handed that chance for Arsenal, during project restart, the Argentina international hasn’t looked back since.
Martinez went on to win the FA Cup in Arsenal colours, seal a big-money move to Aston Villa that summer, win the Copa America with Argentina and is now one of the best keepers on the land.
So, all in all, those difficult years he suffered during the early stages of his career have now turned on its head and he is proof that you have to keep going, no matter what.
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