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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Emiliano Martinez's four-word response after Mikel Arteta's reported Arsenal transfer decision

Emiliano Martinez is focused on helping Arsenal claim the Community Shield against Liverpool, amid speculation regarding his future.

After a 10-year wait, coupled with an injury to Bernd Leno, the goalkeeper finally got an extended run in the Gunners first-team after lockdown last season.

And Martinez's impressive form prompted many to question what would happen when the Germany international returned to full fitness.

Mikel Arteta speaks on changes at Arsenal

Well, it would appear that technical director Edu and head coach Mikel Arteta have decided that the fit-again Leno will remain as number one, and as a result, Martinez is likely to be sold this summer.

According to The Athletic, the Gunners are ready to cash in on the 27-year-old as he seeks to establish himself as a first-choice goalkeeper.

Furthermore, the report states that while the ex-head of football Raul Sanellhi had set an asking price of £20m, Martinez hopes the north London outfit will halve their valuation to £10m.

However, despite all the rumours, the Argentine only has one thing on his mind right now - and it's not his future.

Taking to social media following reports that he's been put up for sale, Martinez simply turned his attentions to this afternoon's showdown with the Premier League champions at Wembley Stadium.

"Another final tomorrow @Arsenal," he wrote on Twitter with an image of him on the Wembley pitch.

With that said, Arteta has hinted that Leno will get the nod against the Reds.

"I love to have two goalkeepers at the level of Bernd and Emi," the Spaniard told reporters. "Last season, when Bernd got injured, if somebody had some doubts about Emi’s character or qualities then he’s shown what he’s able to do and he didn’t do it for one game, he did it for 10 or 11 games in a row.

"I’m delighted to have both of them. But they both know that on the first day of pre-season, you start again and fight for your place and show us who is the one that deserves the chance to start.

"I don’t want to keep them both happy, I want the one that is not playing to be upset. But upset and then challenge the next player to make him better, or if not, earn his place to do that. It’s not easy to do that.

"I personally don’t see any different with goalkeepers to full backs.

"They know that, I’ve been really clear with them and hopefully they can make each other better and hopefully the team better."

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