Report: Arsenal player who Mikel Arteta called ‘phenomenal’ close to signing new deal

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Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is reportedly close to signing a new contract at the Emirates Stadium, according to The Telegraph.

The 27-year-old has been linked with the likes of Leeds United (The Sun), but he is now reportedly set to pen a new deal imminently, ruling out an exit from the club any time soon.

Martinez, who joined Arsenal’s academy in 2010 from Independiente and broke into the first team two years later, has made 38 competitive appearances for the Gunners.

The Argentine excelled in the absence of first-choice Bernd Leno last season and helped Mikel Arteta’s side win the FA Cup at the start of August thanks to a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

Martinez, whose current salary is reported to be £20,000-a-week (Spotrac) then helped make it two trophies in two competitive appearances for the Gunners in the Community Shield at the weekend.

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Martinez still has two years on his Arsenal contract but it’s likely that this reported extension, complete with improved terms, has come about due in part to interest from the likes of Leeds.

The player – who Arteta described as “phenomenal” last month – recently made it clear that he will not settle for an extended place on the Arsenal bench any longer.

“I showed that I can play, I need to play more games next season,” Martinez told Argentina’s Radio Continental earlier this month.

“I want to establish myself at Arsenal and become first choice. If I don’t play, I’m going to move, I’m going to go where I play more.”

Judging by this report, it seems as though Arteta is close to convincing him that he’ll be able to get a lot more game time this season – but what would that mean for Leno?