Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has thrown down the gauntlet to team-mate Bernd Leno, after he claimed to be the more capable of the two keepers.
Martinez has been at Arsenal since joining the academy in 2010 from Independiente in his home country of Argentina, but has failed to nail down a spot as the Gunner's number one keeper, making 14 appearances for the club.
However, the 27-year-old has claimed that he is better than starting goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and has stayed in north London to fight for his place in the team.
Speaking to the Arsenal En America podcast this week, Martinez said: 'He (Leno) has more professional matches than me, but in qualities I am equal to or better than him.
'My goal is to reach the Argentine national team, I have the qualities. I need only a little more playing time. I want to add minutes, make a great season, be Arsenal's number one and have chances of being in the team that plays the Copa América 2020.'
Martinez has spent the majority of his Arsenal career out on loan at lower league clubs. A loan spell at Reading last season left Martinez confident that he is ready to take the next step into the number one spot at Arsenal.
The goalkeeper, who made 18 appearances for the Royals last campaign, admitted that he had doubts whether his career at the Emirates will ever take off, but he decided to fight for his place.
'I had a great season on loan at Reading and I had offers to leave Arsenal,' he said. 'I wanted to play, it was going to be my priority. After nine years without much rhythm I wanted to leave.
'But I got the news that I was going to play more games and I decided to stay to try to be number one. I'm very prepared. If I didn't believe myself of being capable of taking that position, I would not have stayed.
'I know that the national team's goalkeepers coach has followed me last season at Reading and wants me to play. That's why having good games at Arsenal, which is one of the best clubs in the world, I will have the possibility.'
Wuwdelnpsz
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I thought he played well during preseason especially during penalty shootout. He will probably plays in the Europa league and see how that turn out for him.