Arsenal may have had lucky escape after Martinez debut – TBR View

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Arsenal fans would have been forgiven for having one eye on how Manchester United fared on Sunday in a game that marked the Premier League debut of Lisandro Martinez.

Of course, the Gunners will have their sights set on finishing above Erik ten Hag’s men this season. But seeing how Martinez fared would have also intrigued many as Brighton travelled to Old Trafford.

Arsenal opened their season with an excellent win against Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta’s men kept a clean sheet against the Eagles. And William Saliba was man of the match.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko impressed on his Arsenal bow. The Ukraine international set up the opener for the visitors at Selhurst Park, too.

Had events played out differently, either Saliba or Zinchenko may not have featured against Palace – because Arsenal made a big play to sign Martinez before he moved elsewhere.

Goal reported that the Gunners bid £35 million for the Argentinian. Ultimately however, Martinez moved to Manchester United.

A few days after Manchester United announced they had agreed a £56.7 million deal, the Gunners announced a move for Zinchenko.

Lucky escape for Arsenal as Lisandro Martinez endures nightmare debut?

Obviously, we are one game into the season. But there is no question that Saliba and Zinchenko were so much better on their Arsenal debuts than Martinez was on Sunday.

Brighton put two past ten Hag’s men. And Martinez was arguably extremely fortunate not to give away a penalty.

Martinez will improve. He is too good not to. But Arsenal have now unleashed Saliba. And Zinchenko is a proven Premier League player. And actually, they have not spent that much more signing the two players than United spent on Martinez alone.

If the opening day is a sign of what is to come therefore, Arsenal may well feel that they had a lucky escape missing out on Martinez.