‘I was angry’: ‘Very strong’ player says he wanted to quit football after Arsenal loaned him out in 2017

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Emiliano Martinez has revealed how he almost quit football after an underwhelming loan spell while he was at Arsenal.

The Argentine, described as a ‘very strong participant’ by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, spent a little over a decade as a Gunner. He was sent out on loan numerous times and only got his first real opportunity at the Emirates at the end of the 2019/20 season.

Martinez quickly established himself as a top-quality goalkeeper. He was absolutely incredible for Arsenal that campaign and played a massive part in helping them lift the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

He then secured a move to Aston Villa and he has been fantastic there as well. However, things could’ve been very different now if he had thrown his gloves away back in 2017.

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Emi Martinez: I wanted to throw my gloves away after Arsenal loaned me out in 2017

Arsenal sent Martinez away on loan to La Liga side Getafe in 2017. He was expected by everyone to play a big part, but he was handed just six starts all season, which was heartbreaking for the Argentine.

“At some point in my career, I felt like throwing my gloves away,” Martinez told Ben Foster on Amazon Prime Video’s YouTube channel while speaking about his loan spells.

“When I went to Getafe, I was 24, away from England for the first time, took everyone there and played seven (six) games. I just felt at the end of the season, ‘how come I wasn’t playing?’ I’m like ‘what can I do?’

“I started with psychology, I wanted to change my agents, I was angry at everyone.”

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During his 10 years at Arsenal, Martinez was loaned out six different times. He made more appearances while he was away from Arsenal than he did for the Gunners, which should tell you how difficult it was for him.

Martinez’s record at Arsenal during his decade there stands at 38 games, 16 clean sheets and five trophies, only two of which he won as a regular starter.

Now at Aston Villa, he has become the undisputed number one. He is a hero for Argentina too having helped them win the Copa America last summer.

As sad as it is for Martinez that things didn’t quite work out at Arsenal, his career has hugely benefitted following his move away from the Emirates. He’s really in a great place now and it won’t be a surprise to see him secure a move to a top, top club in the very near future.

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