“I want to play champions league”: Former Arsenal star the sold out €17M regretting disrespecting Arteta, wishes he could play UCL with Gunners next season

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Emiliano Martinez, the former Arsenal goalkeeper and esteemed World Cup champion, has opened up about his regrets regarding his disrespectful behavior towards Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

Martinez, who currently plies his trade at Aston Villa, expressed his desire to feature in the UEFA Champions League and wished he could achieve this feat with his former club, Arsenal, in the upcoming season.

In an exclusive interview with France Football, the Argentine shot-stopper shared his aspirations of lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy, acknowledging that such an achievement might be challenging to accomplish with Aston Villa.

Martinez highlighted the significance and prestige associated with the competition, recognizing Arsenal’s perennial ambitions to compete for and win the Champions League on a regular basis.

It is worth mentioning that Martinez, known for his spirited nature, found himself in controversy when he made an inappropriate gesture with the World Cup Golden Glove trophy and taunted French players, including superstar Kylian Mbappé, during post-tournament celebrations.

However, the remorseful goalkeeper expressed a keen interest in joining Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as he looks to chase his dream of Champions League glory.

However, the prospect of Martinez moving to PSG seems uncertain at best. The French giants currently boast the services of the exceptional Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who recently signed a long-term contract with the club, solidifying his position as a world-class shot-stopper until 2026.

Additionally, given Martinez’s previous contentious actions towards Mbappé and the French national team, it is highly unlikely that PSG’s management would entertain the idea of integrating Mbappé’s provocateur into their squad, regardless of any attempts by Martinez to backtrack on his comments and actions.

Martinez’s footballing journey has been marked by various experiences and transfers, despite spending a significant portion of his career at Arsenal. He initially joined the Gunners in 2010, transitioning from Independiente U20 to the Arsenal reserves.

Subsequently, he embarked on several loan spells before finally finding stability at Aston Villa in 2020, commanding a transfer fee of €17.4 million.

The goalkeeper’s path to success began to take shape when he started working with a psychologist and made a conscious decision to cease going out on loan. This turning point in his career proved instrumental, and Martinez’s fortunes continued to rise.

His commendable performances earned him a call-up to the Argentine national team in 2021, and he subsequently played a vital role in securing the World Cup trophy in Qatar just last year.

Reflecting on his journey, Martinez candidly admitted that he once contemplated quitting football altogether. However, with the assistance of a psychologist and the birth of his son, he rediscovered his motivation and determination to succeed.

Now driven by the desire to conquer the Champions League, Martinez yearns for an opportunity to prove himself on Europe’s grandest stage.

As Martinez sets his sights on new ambitions, his regret for disrespecting Arteta serves as a reminder of the importance of professionalism and respect in the world of football.

While his aspirations to play in the Champions League remain unfulfilled at present, the Argentine goalkeeper remains hopeful that his path may eventually lead him back to Arsenal, where he could contribute to their pursuit of continental glory.

Only time will tell if Martinez’s wish will come to fruition, but his determination and resilience continue to fuel his pursuit of excellence on the football field.