Emiliano Martinez insists leaving Arsenal for Aston Villa was ‘a step up’ in his career.
The goalkeeper joined Villa in a £17million deal during the summer transfer window, which ended his ten-year spell in north London.
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And Martinez, who has kept four clean sheets in his first seven matches, made a triumphant return to the Emirates as Dean Smith’s side won 3-0 to climb to sixth in the table, five places above Arsenal, on Sunday.
The 28-year-old has hopes of playing in Europe with Villa and insisted he didn’t see leaving Arsenal for the Midlands club as a backwards move – quite the opposite in fact.
He said: “They were all saying it was a step down in my career, but I always said it was a step up.
“When I decided to come to Villa it was because I trusted the manager and the club’s ambitions, and I knew how big Villa are.
“Some people do not realise how big Aston Villa are. I said on day one my ambition is to be in Europe with Aston Villa.
“I want to take this club as high as possible and we are on the right path. Can it be done this season? Yes. But we have to work for it.”
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Martinez started Arsenal’s final 11 matches of the 2019/20 campaign following a knee injury to Bernd Leno as he helped the club win a 14th FA Cup.
However, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta opted to start the new season with Leno as his No.1 goalkeeper.
Subsequently, Martinez sent Arteta a text pleading to join Aston Villa.
He added: “I told him I wanted to play week in, week out and he couldn’t guarantee who was going to start.
“Even before the Community Shield he didn’t know who was going to play in goal.
“I just wanted to play first-team football and Arsenal could not guarantee me that.
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“After ten years at the club I didn’t want to wait until Friday night, the day before the game, to know whether I was going to play against Fulham or not.
“So I just texted him to say I was going to Aston Villa, so please help me and let me go.
“He was very honest and very open with me. He helped me to leave the club after so many years.
“I’ve already said how grateful I am for that and how pleased I am about how well he is doing at Arsenal. I’m so happy he is the leader of the club.”
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