BREAKING NEWS: “I’ll never forget what they did to me.” That’s why I made sure they lost the title by dropping 6 points to us,” admits former Arsenal goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who also discusses his departure from the club and how he was treated by ungrateful supporters.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez recently opened up about his challenging journey at Arsenal during an appearance on Ben Foster’s podcast, Fozcast. Martinez, now recognized as a top-tier goalkeeper, reflected on his time at Arsenal, revealing significant setbacks and disappointments under the management of Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery.

Martinez began by sharing the initial optimism he felt due to promises made by Arsenal’s legendary manager, Arsene Wenger. Wenger had assured him that he would eventually rise to be the team’s number one goalkeeper.

However, despite this assurance, Martinez started his Arsenal career as the second-choice goalkeeper.

The situation worsened when he was demoted to third choice, a disheartening experience for the young player.

This period was marked by a blend of hope and frustration as he awaited an opportunity to prove himself and secure his place as a key player.

The arrival of Unai Emery as Arsenal’s manager marked a significant shift in Martinez’s career.

According to Martinez, Emery quickly excluded him from his plans, referencing Martinez’s loan spells at Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday as indicators that he was not ready for the starting position at Arsenal.

This conversation was devastating for Martinez, who felt unfairly judged and sidelined despite his hard work and determination.

Undeterred, Martinez continued to persevere and was loaned out to Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves), where he delivered exceptional performances. Wolves even made a £10 million bid for him, but Arsenal rejected the offer, choosing instead to sign veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech.

This decision was another major disappointment for Martinez, further crushing his aspirations of becoming Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper.

Martinez’s career took a positive turn when he joined Aston Villa. Ironically, it was under the guidance of Unai Emery, the same manager who had previously dismissed him at Arsenal, that Martinez thrived.

His outstanding performances were pivotal in helping Aston Villa secure a spot in the Champions League, establishing him as one of the world’s top goalkeepers.

Martinez’s career reached its peak in 2022 when he won the World Cup with Argentina, playing alongside football legends like Lionel Messi. This achievement underscored his immense talent and resilience.

Martinez’s story is a powerful testament to perseverance and resilience.

Despite numerous setbacks and disappointments, he continued to work hard and remain determined to achieve his goals. His candid account on the podcast offers a rare and insightful glimpse into the life of a professional footballer, highlighting the significant challenges they often face.

Martinez’s journey underscores the importance of determination, hard work, and resilience in overcoming adversity and achieving success at the highest levels of professional sport.