Report: Leeds eyeing 27-year-old Arsenal ace who Mikel Arteta thinks is ‘phenomenal’

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Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has emerged as a transfer target for Premier League-bound Leeds United, according to a report in The Sun.

The outlet claims that the Elland Road outfit has made a new goalkeeper a priority as they gear up for a return to the top-flight after a 16-year absence.

Martinez, who joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2010 from Argentinian side Independiente and graduated to the first team in 2012, has made 35 competitive appearances for the Gunners.

The 27-year-old has excelled in the absence of first-choice Bernd Leno, playing 50 minutes off the bench against Brighton and the full 90 minutes in every Arsenal match since.

Martinez’s impressive displays will no doubt leave Mikel Arteta with a selection headache once Leno returns to full fitness.

Having made such a big impression over the past month, the Argentine could be tempted into a move to a club where he could become the established number one, speculates The Sun.

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It’s always a cause for concern when a first-choice keeper gets ruled out for a long period of time, but credit to Martinez, he has deputised very well for Leno.

“The way he trains every day, behaves and has been behaving since he’s been at the club is phenomenal,” Arteta said of his player, as quoted by The Mirror, earlier this month.

As for Leeds, Illan Meslier has penned a new contract but might still be a bit inexperienced for the Premier League, while Kiko Casilla has fallen to second choice behind the Frenchman.

Arsenal will no doubt want to keep Martinez at the Emirates Stadium but he may not want to return to the bench now that he’s got a taste of first-team action and has been doing well.