Former Arsenal star sold by Arteta called ‘best’ in his role ‘in the world’ by Real Madrid legend

Add as preferred source on Google

One former Arsenal star has been hailed as the greatest player in his position in the world by one modern great of the game.

Since his appointment as Arsenal manager in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has massively overhauled the playing squad at the Emirates Stadium, with many players having been moved on.

Few players that have left the Emirates Stadium in this period have gone on to do anything to suggest that Arteta made a mistake in dispensing with their services. However, there are a couple of notable exceptions. 

For instance, there is certainly an argument that Arsenal missed the presence of Granit Xhaka last season, following his switch to Bayer Leverkusen. The Swiss midfielder enjoyed a fine campaign in Germany, playing a key role as his new club managed a league and cup double. 

Plenty of Arsenal fans certainly feel that Arteta should have kept Xhaka. The same might also be said of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

The shot-stopper was sold to Aston Villa in the summer of 2020, having impressed for the Gunners in the previous campaign throughout his first ever extended run in the starting XI.

The 31-year-old immediately established himself as the first choice pick between the sticks at Villa Park, and played a major role in helping the Midlands outfit to a top four finish in the Premier League last time out.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s most expensive transfer sales of all-time

Real Madrid icon Angel Di Maria heaps praise on former Arsenal ace Emiliano Martinez

Since leaving North London, Martinez has also made himself a star at international level, as Argentina’s No. 1. He won the Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022, and became a Copa America champion again last night, as Argentina beat Colombia in the final.

In the wake of that triumph, Martinez took to Instagram to post images of himself celebrating the success. Argentina teammate and former Real Madrid, Manchester United, and PSG star Angel Di Maria replied to this post, commenting: “The best goalkeeper in the world,” along with a red heart emoji.

Di Maria is undeniably one of the modern greats of the game, having won plenty of silverware with Real Madrid and PSG.

Did Mikel Arteta make a mistake in letting Martinez leave Arsenal?

Arteta has had issues to contend with between the sticks since Martinez’s departure. Bernd Leno moved on soon after, Aaron Ramsdale’s spell as No. 1 was cut short by the arrival of David Raya, and Arsenal are now on the hunt for another goalkeeper this summer. 

Raya will be the Gunners’ first choice pick this season, but there is an argument that he is of a similar level to Martinez, rather than a clear upgrade.