TBR View: 25-year-old could make Arsenal’s Premier League squad for the first time this weekend

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is reportedly out of the Gunners squad for their Premier League opener on Saturday.

It appears as though a bidding war is now under way for the Argentine keeper, with The Guardian claiming Brighton have joined Aston Villa in the race for the 28-year-old’s services.

The outlet claims that Villa bid £15million for Martinez this week – with Arsenal reportedly after £20million – but the Seagulls have exceeded their offer.

Given transfer talks are ongoing, the Arsenal deputy keeper will apparently not be involved as the Gunners head to Fulham.

If the reports were true, this would mean Bernd Leno is all-but assured to start in goal, but who could be on the bench?

Third-choice Matt Macey is the obvious choice, but having played for the Under-23s on Friday afternoon, would he then be drafted into the senior squad for a 12:30pm kickoff on the Saturday?

If not, then Dejan Iliev could be drafted in on the bench – it would be only the fourth time he’d be in a competitive Arsenal matchday squad, and the first time in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has been with the Gunners since 2012, when he joined their academy from North Macedonian outlet Belasica, but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the North Londoners.

Last season, Iliev – whose Arsenal contract runs until 2022 – spent time on loan at Slovakia’s SKF Sered and Poland’s Jagiellonia Bialystok.

Other alternatives could be 19-year-old academy talent Arthur Okonkwo, an England Under-18 international who is back in training after a difficult year, and Karl Hein, first-choice shot-stopper for Steve Bould’s side last season and capped twice for Estonia this month.

Of course, Macey could be named in the squad anyway – after all, goalkeeping is less exertive than outfield – but with him also seeking a new club, it looks as though Arsenal could have some turbulent times ahead on that front unless they sign a new stopper promptly.