Thierry Henry, an iconic figure at Arsenal, has criticized Mikel Arteta for the sale of Emiliano Martinez, claiming that it was Arteta’s fault that the talented player was sold for just £20 million, especially when Martinez has now achieved remarkable success, outperforming renowned players like Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Emiliano Martinez’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of remarkable. After leaving Arsenal, he quickly became Aston Villa’s number-one goalkeeper and assumed the same role for the Argentine national team. His recent recognition as the best goalkeeper in the world and the 15th-best player globally at the Ballon d’Or ceremony underscores his exceptional talents.
Despite spending a decade at Arsenal, Martinez struggled to secure a regular starting position. It was only after Bernd Leno’s injury in the 2019/20 season that Martinez got his chance. During that time, he played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories, gaining international recognition.
Emiliano Martinez’s transformation from an understudy to a global superstar is a testament to his incredible journey. Notably, he has surpassed notable football figures like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Lautaro Martinez, and even Arsenal’s own talents Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in the Ballon d’Or rankings. His success is particularly remarkable considering that Arsenal sold him for a seemingly meager £20 million, as reported by The Guardian.
The decision to part ways with Martinez was made during Mikel Arteta’s tenure as Arsenal’s manager. At that time, Arteta preferred Bernd Leno as the first-choice goalkeeper, which led to the sale of Martinez. While Arteta might have had justifications for this decision back then, the recent turn of events has cast a shadow over that choice. It’s now apparent that Martinez’s potential was not fully recognized or utilized during his time at Arsenal.
Currently, Arsenal faces another goalkeeping dilemma, with Arteta having to choose between Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya. Ramsdale appears to be the favored option at the moment. However, if Arteta decides to move Ramsdale to a prominent club in the next transfer windows, it might not be as straightforward as it was with Martinez. Ramsdale’s performances suggest he could potentially become the best goalkeeper in the world in the coming years, further complicating the situation.
In hindsight, Thierry Henry’s criticism of Mikel Arteta’s handling of Emiliano Martinez’s departure from Arsenal seems justified. The Argentine goalkeeper’s impressive achievements and accolades following his exit underscore the importance of careful player management and decision-making in football. Arsenal’s decision to sell Martinez for a relatively modest fee now appears to be a missed opportunity, and it remains to be seen how the club will navigate its future goalkeeping choices under Arteta’s leadership.