Emiliano Martinez has opened up on the challenge he set to himself that changed his Arsenal career.
Martinez has endured an up and down Arsenal career to date since breaking through the youth ranks following a switch from Independiente in 2010.
The 27-year-old has finally enjoyed a run in the first team thanks to Bernd Leno's injury but it has been a long road to this point for the Argentine.
Loans at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Wolves, Getafe and Reading left the shot-stopper feeling 'tired' and ready to finally make his mark on the Gunners' squad.
In a detailed interview with Sky Sports he has revealed that he decided that a short loan at Reading last year was going to be his last as he prepared for the 2019/20 season with renewed vigour which has now been rewarded.
He told Sky Sports: "When I went to Reading last season, I said to myself, 'This is my last loan.' My body was always tired at the end of the season from travelling and not knowing what I was going to be doing next, so I made that challenge to myself that it was my last loan and I had to do well. I prepared myself mentally more than ever."
Martinez admits it has been a rough ride at the Emirates but he explained that he always had the belief he could reach the top with the club.
"It's been up and down in my Arsenal career, to be honest," he added. "There was something I had inside me that said, 'Why am I not getting my chance in the club that I love?'
"I always believed I could do it here and the club always believed in me as well. That's one of the reasons I stayed here for so long. They always believed I could become the No 1.
"That motivation kept me going and it's not like I haven't been progressing over the years. I was always progressing and pushing my career forward.
"But God always puts you in the right place at the right time. I've worked really hard over the years and been really patient and now I'm getting the rewards."
