Wenger: Third-choice Martinez can step up to plate
Arsenal have confirmed that third-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will start tonight against Anderlecht, almost two years after his last club appearance. Photo credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arsenal's injury plight was highlighted yesterday with the confirmation that Emiliano Martinez will start in goal at Anderlecht tonight, nearly two years after his last appearance for the club - when he let in five goals.
But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was "extremely confident" the 22-year-old Argentinian can cope with the pressure of being second-choice goalkeeper behind Wojciech Szczesny - suspended for tonight's match.
He is likely to serve in the role of Szczesny's deputy for a lengthy period, as it was revealed yesterday that David Ospina will now be out for "two to three months" with a thigh injury.
Martinez has played twice for Arsenal before, in League Cup games in 2012-13, the second of which was the famous 7-5 win at Reading. Since then, Martinez has gained experience on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and Wenger spoke positively about him at last night's press conference.
Wenger said: "He has experience from Sheffield Wednesday last year, and when he played for us he did very well. I have no special worry about that. I am extremely confident."
The fact that Martinez's last Arsenal appearance was almost a disaster - Arsenal were 4-1 down at half-time - did not bother Wenger. "Martinez is two years older," Wenger said. "He has grown in stature."
More may well be demanded of Martinez over the next few months after Wenger confirmed that Ospina, the summer signing from Nice, will likely be out for the rest of the year with a recurrence of a thigh injury sustained at the World Cup.
Calum Chambers will return from suspension and will likely play at right-back, with Nacho Monreal set to partner Per Mertesacker in central defence. Aaron Ramsey could make his first start since injuring his hamstring three weeks ago. (© Independent News Service)
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