“Today it is my turn” – Martinez relishing opportunity to impress at Arsenal

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has expressed his joy of playing regular football at the club after first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Since his arrival at the club in 2010 from Independiente, the 27-year-old has seen his playing time vary at an array of clubs on loan while also being the Gunners’ third or second-choice goalkeeper in the mean time.

Following Leno’s injury against Brighton, Martinez has started every game for the club. This has been his first proper opportunity to shine since 2014 where injuries to Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina awarded the then 22-year-old with a place in the first-team.

The Argentine delivered an excellent performance versus Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and also looked good in Premier League fixtures. However, his time to shine ended once Szczesny recovered from his injury.

Speaking to the Argentine sports channel TyC Sports, Martinez said he is happy to be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper for the time being.

“Obviously being at Arsenal is a goal for many goalkeepers and more so South Americans,” he said. “I came here from a young age and always with one goal: to play the most matches in this beautiful club.”

“Today it is my turn, I am doing it in a very responsible way and I am proud to represent my country in one of the best teams.”

Also, the goalkeeper said he is happy to play with the ball at his feet because he believes it suits him well.

“Nowadays it would be very difficult for me to play in a team where it only sticks up,” he said. “If you watch Arsenal games, the goalkeeper starts the game.”

“Likewise, the number one goal of the goalkeeper is to save. In a big club like Arsenal, you usually always get it once or twice and you have to stop it.”

“The other day I had one in the 81st minute and I had to stop it. That is what this club requires. Then if you play well with your feet, that’s a plus.”