Emiliano Martinez eyeing Bernd Leno’s place in Arsenal starting XI

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Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez is determined to work hard and eventually replace Bernd Leno in goal at the Emirates Stadium.

The super confident 27-year-old is gunning for the German’s place in the starting XI and has the belief he can oust the former Bayer Leverkusen man.

Martinez, who recently received his first ever Argentina call-up, has been with Arsenal since 2010 after leaving Independiente’s youth academy.

The 6ft 5in stopper has hardly featured for the first-team in that time, making just 16 appearances.

He has been out on loan six times, but feels now could be his time.

Speaking ahead of the Europa League clash with Standard Liege, he said (Metro): “That’s [being No.1] what I’m working for. We’ve worked really hard. To play for Arsenal you have to challenge everyone. Matt challenges me and I challenge Bernd.

‘Since I signed for this club my goal was always to be a No.1. I’ve been here for 10 years, I came as a young boy and now I’m a grown man. Some loans were good, some were bad. That’s the dream, I won’t stop until I’m the No.1 for Argentina. Do I feel I’m the best? Of course.”

TBR’s view

Martinez talks a very impressive game and his attitude has previously gone down very well with the Gunners faithful.

They love the idea he is so determined to replace £100,000-a-week ace Leno (Spotrac), as that surely spurs the German on to be better.

Unfortunately for Martinez, Leno’s form for the Gunners has been pretty good so far, despite the team struggling defensively.

He made an error in the North London Derby but has generally been quite solid for Arsenal, and so the wait will have to go on a little while longer for Martinez.