Football

World Cup 2022: Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger sends message to former Gunner ahead of Qatar final

World Cup 2022: Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger sends message to former Gunner ahead of Qatar final

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed his pride at Emiliano Martinez, who has helped Argentina reach the final of the 2022 World Cup.

The goalkeeper has been a regular in between the sticks for his nation, who secured their spot in Sunday’s final after defeating Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final.

Ex-Arsenal boss proud of former Gunner

Martinez currently plays for Premier League club Aston Villa, having previously spent eight years with Arsenal. And former Gunners boss Wenger, who was in charge of Arsenal when Martinez moved there in 2010, says he is ‘proud’ of his former player.

“I am very happy for him,” said Wenger, as reported by the Mirror. “We were aware of his huge qualities. He was determined and had a desire to learn and a big passion for the game.

“Sometimes he went out on loan and didn’t even play. But it didn’t stop his belief and motivation. When I see him now play knowing what he went through I admire even more his achievement. Well done Emi, we are proud of you.”

Martinez has ‘character, willpower and enormous drive’

Key to the deal to bring Martinez to north London in 2010 was Arsenal’s then-chief transfer negotiator Dick Law, who helped sign the goalkeeper from Argentine outfit Independiente. But Martinez was certainly not a regular during his spell with Arsenal, playing just a handful of matches during his eight years at the club.

The goalkeeper was sent out on six different loans while at Arsenal, including moves to Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading. He finally left the Gunners in 2020 for fellow Premier League side Aston Villa, but Law has fond memories of the times off the pitch with Martinez.

“We put a bonus in his first contract when he joined Arsenal that he would get a bonus when he passed the English Proficiency Test,” said Law. “And he did it before Christmas. That shows that he’s somebody who’s got a lot of character, willpower and enormous drive. I don’t know how many contracts I did with him – I did two or three before I left in 2017 – but he was so driven.

“I remember his second or third contract and I remember asking him: ‘Emi, what are you going to do? Are you going to buy a house and settle here?’

“He said: ‘No, I’m going to do two things: I don’t want my mum to work anymore and I’m going to buy her her own flat.’ That says so much about him as a person. What fans don’t always see is the other side of footballers. They see them in cup finals or big matches and think it’s always been that way.”

Arsenal

Former Arsenal goalkeeper shining for Argentina

It has been a long road to the top for Martinez, having served as Arsenal’s number two for several years.

The 30-year-old now has the number one jersey at Villa, and recently signed a three-year contract extension with the club, seeing him remain there until the end of the 2026/27 season. He is also Argentina’s first choice, and has pulled off several vital saves on their way to the final in Qatar

Martinez currently sits joint-top of the 2022 World Cup clean sheet standings, keeping three shutouts, level with England’s Jordan Pickford and Morocco’s Yassine Bounou.


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