Mikel Arteta has said that Emiliano Martinez "is more than ready" top be a Premier League No 1 having stepped in impressively for Bernd Leno.
The Argentine has filled in for Arsenal's regular first choice goalkeeper after he sustained an injury at Brighton back in June.
Martinez has kept three clean sheets in the six games that have followed having previously struggled to establish himself at the Emirates.
Leno is expected to return before the end of the season, but Arteta has confessed that Martinez "has earned his place".
He said: "Well, in terms of Emi’s character and his goalkeeping ability, I didn’t have any question marks.
"The way he trains every day, behaves and has been behaving since he’s been at the club is phenomenal.
"He was a question mark over how he was going to do because he didn’t have any Premier League experience and how he can deal with that game after game, and he’s shown that he’s more than ready to do it.
"He’s earned his place now, he’s doing really well and he’s playing with a lot of confidence. In key moments he’s been really helpful and he needs to continue to do that.
"It’s a marathon, a long run, and a football club like this demands that every day you’re at that level. That’s why he needs to keep going."
Martinez was in goal for Sunday's north London derby, a game in which Tottenham came from behind to win 2-1.
A defensive mix-up allowed them to rule out Arsenal's opener before Toby Alderweireld nodded home a late winner.
But despite the reverse Martinez has underlined the importance of finishing above their arch rivals.
"‘Every season we try to finish above them, he told The Evening Standard. ‘We need to make sure we finish above them."
