Emi Martinez now shares what Mikel Arteta said to him right before Arsenal exit

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Emi Martinez has seen his career hit new heights since leaving Arsenal in 2020, but he has spoken again about his departure from the Emirates.

Martinez spent close to 10 years in North London, but was a backup option for most of his time and embarked on a number of loan spells.

His final few months at the club saw him step in for Bernd Leno following an injury, and he helped Arsenal and Mikel Arteta win the FA Cup before joining Aston Villa.

He has since won the World Cup, but has spoken about his time at Arsenal on a number of occasions, and he has now opened up again about the circumstances of his exit.

Martinez reveals Arteta conversation prior to Arsenal exit

Speaking to L’Equipe, Martinez claimed that he drove his Arsenal exit to increase his chances of featuring for the Argentina National team, but Arteta was not too happy with his decision.

“I had a discussion with Mikel Arteta, my coach at Arsenal, and I told him that my dream was to play for the national team and that for that I had to leave,” he stated.

“He didn’t like it, but he understood, he told me he would give me an exit voucher and Aston Villa took a gamble on me.

“Thanks to this club, I was able to achieve my goal and this year we are playing in a European cup for the first time in thirteen years. It’s win-win.”

Martinez’s relationship with Arsenal

Although he gained popularity with the Arsenal fanbase with his performances prior to his departure, Martinez’s endless comments about the club helped make a villain out of a hero, and he is now consistently booed whenever he returns to the Emirates.

A calamitous own goal from a Jorginho strike in Arsenal’s comeback victory over Aston Villa last season saw the Gunners have the last laugh, but it should not have even come to this.

Martinez departed Arsenal on seemingly good terms at the time, with Arteta happy with Leno as his main goalkeeper, and the club receiving a good fee for a backup player, but his unnecessary digs at the club have meant there is bad blood where there shouldn’t have been.