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Mikel Arteta has hinted that Emi Martinez may still have a future at Arsenal after his last impressive display helped the Gunners win the Community Shield over champion Liverpool on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Martinez has been linked to a move to Aston Villa over the weekend, having performed well for Arsenal in the final games of the season, and starting stopper Bernd Leno injured his knee in June.
With Leno about to return and Arsenal looking for another recruit to keep in the transfer window, they are believed to be open to selling Martinez for the right price.
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Villa was linked to the Argentine, although he currently has four senior goalkeepers on his roster. However, with Lovre Kalinic deemed in excess of the requirements and Jed Steer and Tom Heaton currently in rehab after injury, it is believed that boss Dean Smith could renew that department of his team once again this summer.
Arteta, for now, would not rely on rumors of Martinez leaving, but he recognized the quality of the 27-year-old’s performance at Wembley and insisted he has what it takes to regularly play at the top.
“Well, obviously we are in the market and there is a lot of speculation,” Arteta told the Evening Standard in his post-match press conference.
“I think Emi has shown in recent months what she is capable of doing for this football club. I am convinced that he has the level to play with us consistently at that level.
“He proved it on Saturday in a final. But I can’t stop the speculation. That’s something I can’t stop and what other people can write about us. I am not going to publicly discuss what is happening with other players ”.
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