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‘Serious question: why did Arsenal sell Martinez?’: Gunners fans criticize Mikel Arteta’s decision to play Alex Runarsson after the Icelandic goalkeeper howled in his 4-1 Carabao Cup loss to Manchester City
- Alex Runarsson was chosen to play in place of Bernd Leno on Tuesday night
- The Icelandic goalkeeper let out an expensive howl for Man City’s second goal
- Arguably, he could have done better with the first goal Arsenal let in.
- Fans have criticized the decision to sell out the former endorsement of Emiliano Martínez
Arsenal fans have wondered why they sold Emiliano Martinez after goalkeeper Alex Runarsson’s performance in their 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
The summer signing of Dijon failed to reach a center that saw Gabriel Jesus put Pep Guardiola’s team 1-0 up after three minutes.
But the moment that left him with his head in his hands was when Riyad Mahrez put City 2-1 up, when the Algerian free kick spilled from Runarsson’s hands to the back of the net.
Alex Runarsson let Riyad Mahrez’s free kick slip between his fingers when the score was 1-1
Dijon’s summer signing was chosen to play ahead of regular goalkeeper Bernd Leno
Arsenal were kicked out of the Carabao Cup with the 4-1 loss at home, and fans and pundits questioned why No.1 goalkeeper Bernd Leno had been left out of the starting lineup for such an important game.
Sky sports Expert Jamie Redknapp said it was a “monumental mistake” to start Runarsson.
He added: ‘Arsenal fans will say’ why don’t we play Leno today? ‘ He’s a young boy, there was no point starting him today.
‘Having said that, I hope he comes back quickly and gets over it, has to get up, what can he do.’
Runarsson was hired as a replacement for Martinez, who impressed for Arsenal at the end of last season.
The 28-year-old has transferred his form to Aston Villa, which he joined for regular first-team football, and has been one of the best-performing goalkeepers in the league this season.
Arsenal fans questioned why they let Emiliano Martínez leave to join Aston Villa in the summer
Arsenal fans questioned the logic of selling the Spaniard on social media after the game.
Alephdan tweeted: ‘Serious question why did Arsenal sell Martinez?’
Alistair Ritter commented: ‘Arguably they sold the most informed goalkeeper in the league in Emi because they needed the money for Thomas (Partey).
‘Martinez deserved to start first and have Leno fight. Now we have Leno as the first option, can you imagine if he gets injured now? I just gave you the game tonight.
Mikel Arteta was in the line of fire for the decision to let Martínez out and sign Runarsson.
Real Ansah tweeted: ‘The weird thing is that we let Emi Martínez go and replaced him with this goalkeeper? Nobody can tell me that Arteta is a coach. Trust what process?
LordGooner added: ‘Edu sold Martinez and bought Runarsson. He gave Willian a 3-year contract. Arteta looked more and more confused and helpless. It’s going to be a long season. ‘
However, there were some who came out in defense of Runarsson after his exhibition.
Jan-Christian Austad tweeted: ‘For me, Ceballos, Mustafi, Kola, Cedric and Elneny are just as bad players as Runarsson was today and have played a lot of games like that.
It’s Runarsson’s first bad game for the club! He is a goalkeeper without playing time. ‘
Despite external criticism, Arteta refused to point to the goalkeeper for his costly handling error.
Mikel Arteta refused to point to Runarsson for his costly mistake after his 4-1 loss
“He has not played many games for us, we all make mistakes and we have to support him,” said the Spaniard in Sky sports.
‘We know that Bernd (Leno) has played many minutes and needs to rest.
We have to give other players opportunities and he (Runarsson) did well in other games.
“These things happen in football.”
