Tony Adams questions Mikel Arteta’s decision to stay with Bernd Leno and sell Emiliano Martínez

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed that Bernd Leno is not a ‘top four goalkeeper’ and has warned Mikel Arteta that he could end up regretting letting Emiliano Martínez leave for Aston Villa.

Leno was the Gunners’ number one for much of the 2019-20 season, but was injured towards the end of the season and Martinez was eventually given his first-team shot.

The goalkeeper had been loaned out six times in eight years, but he seized his opportunity with impressive performances, helping the club win the FA Cup against Chelsea and the Community Shield against Liverpool.

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed that number one gunners Bernd Leno is not one of the top four goalkeepers.

Adams also questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to sell Emiliano Martínez (above) to Aston Villa

But Leno’s return to fitness saw him reinstated as the club’s number one and Martinez was sold to Aston Villa, where he has already kept two clean sheets in his first two games. He also saved a penalty on his debut against Sheffield United.

And after watching Leno concede three goals against Liverpool on Monday, former Gunners defender Adams questioned his credentials as a top-four goalkeeper and highlighted Martinez’s impact at the end of last season.

‘Martínez was incredible in his cup career. It was absolutely sensational, ” Adams told Astro SuperSport.

Martinez played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories in August

And I like the big ones and what Leno fights with, for me, is crosses and stuff.

But it’s not about me. Arteta is gone, “No, Leno is my number one, I like him”, and she has put all her faith in him. But I don’t think he’s one of the top four goalkeepers, for me.

‘Martínez, it was a coincidence, everything fell into place for Arsenal in the cup competition last year, it was as if it were written in the stars.

Leno was reinstated as number one this season, but conceded three goals at Anfield on Monday.

Martínez has kept two clean sheets in his first two games and saved a penalty on his Villa debut

Enter this goalkeeper, who has been at the club for 10 years and has not played 10 games, and for everything! He was a possessed man, he was absolutely incredible. And for me, he was number one.

‘Now that you have taken the opportunity, you have experience, it is going well, yes. But Arteta is the man and he has chosen a different goalkeeper. ‘

Leno kept a clean sheet in the opening game against Fulham, but has conceded four goals in his last two league games. The Gunners face Sheffield United, who have yet to score this season, at the Emirates on Sunday.