Arsenal boss Arteta has to regret selling Emi Martinez, despite ‘no regrets’ comments

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There weren’t too many complaints from Arsenal fans in the summer when Mikel Arteta opted to sell Emi Martinez to Aston Villa.

The Gunners number two had helped the club to both FA Cup and Community Shield glory and, despite impressing, most supporters accepted it was only fair Martinez went somewhere to play regular first-team football.

A £17m deal with Villa was agreed and, for a number two goalkeeper, it looked like being a good deal for the Gunners at the time.

However, few could have foreseen that Arteta would opt to bring in a relatively unknown goalkeeper in Alex Runarsson to replace Martinez and following his display against Man City last night, it’s looking like a nightmare move from the Gunners boss.

So far, Runarsson had only played in ‘easy’ Europa League games. And while doing little wrong, he was hardly tested.

Against a City side who are known for being ruthless, Runarsson’s inexperience and nerves were shown up for all to see.

A big mistake

Despite saying last night he has no regrets over the decision to sell Martinez, deep down, Mikel Arteta must be cursing himself.

It’s not even like the money raised has been reinvested into the position and an improvement has been seen. In fact, an injury to Bernd Leno at any point would now send shivers down the spine of the Gunners boss, you’d assume.

Obviously, Arteta should get time to do his job in north London. There is a lot of wheeling and dealing to be done and players who simply need moving on for the good of the club.

But in the here and now, and with a struggling Arsenal team failing to make any sort of impression under the Spaniard, Arteta’s decision to let Martinez go with no viable replacement, seems like being a poor one.

Arteta, then, will be hoping it doesn’t cost him anymore than it already has.