Emiliano Martinez has discussed his time at Arsenal.
"At the beginning of my first year, I thought that I wasn’t going to make it," he told in the final interview to the north Londoners' official website.
"That was the reality then because I had nine goalies in front of me. I always believed I had the talent to do it, but never actually believed in myself that I would do it.
"But then over the years, I remember I was on the bench for a Community Shield, I won three FA Cups and three Community Shields but I wasn’t actually part of the team, I wasn’t getting the minutes I needed so I never felt that I won it. I was part of the team, but I never felt it was mine.
"I had to go loan after loan after loan to come back and have a chance to become the keeper I am today.
"I am grateful to be the player I am and the person I am, because I came here as a young boy, single, from Argentina, a poor country and from a poor family, and I am leaving with a wife, with a kid and as a man. Everything because of Arsenal."
Emiliano joined Arsenal as an 18-year-old kid back in 2010. He was considered a talented goalkeeper but he found it difficult to get game time at the Emirates despite making his debut back in 2012.
Martinez was sent away on numerous occasions, playing for 6 different clubs while on loan. Yet at the beginning of the 2018-19 season, he was kept as a backup to Bernd Leno.
The Argentine was a cup keeper, and he was given his time in the Europa League and the FA Cup. However, he strived to become a No. 1 – and he got his chance when Leno suffered an injury after colliding with Brighton forward Neal Maupay back in June.
Martinez took his golden opportunity as he was instrumental in wins against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool (twice) and Chelsea. His role in Arsenal's success, two trophies in the space of one month, was no less important than that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Yet he wanted guarantees over first-team football for the coming season, something Mikel Arteta was not prepared to give him. That's why he decided to leave Arsenal, despite having a lot of love and affection for the badge and the colours.
Martinez was the longest-serving first-team player at the Emirates. He was a goalkeeper with the best save percentage in the Premier League last season.
Emiliano's Arsenal first-team stats:
- 38 games
- 41 goals conceded
- 16 clean sheets.
