Brad Friedel says Emi Martinez should have been given the opportunity to blossom at Arsenal and insists he would be incredible for Mikel Arteta's team right now.
The 30-year-old spent 10 years at Arsenal after joining in 2010 from Independiente. In the end, he made 38 appearances for the Gunners, but spent time on loan at six different clubs: Wolves, Getafe, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United, Rotherham United and Reading.
Just a couple years from turning 30 was when Martinez was handed the opportunity to shine after joining Aston Villa for a £17million fee. "Emi knew that he was good. He knew he had the talent," Friedel exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone.
"He kept wondering why he wasn't getting chances, and I'm not going to give away what he said to me - he can do that in his own interviews - he finally figured out a way to make is game progress to another level.
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"And when he had the opportunity to go to Villa, you can imagine he wasn't sure about things at first, especially because they'd just been so close to relegation that previous season. But now he sees exactly how good the club is, and the great position he's in.
"Sometimes goalkeepers blossom a little bit later, and their chances come a little later in life. But we can also play for longer, too. It's a shame for Arsenal, and maybe for him, too.
"Although, perhaps he just wasn't performing like this at Arsenal in those early days. Either way, it's a shame because you just feel he would be an incredible goalkeeper in this Arsenal team right now."
