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‘Smart decision’ – Arteta praises Chelsea for signing Emiliano Martinez
06th September, 2026 03:16 PM
Mikel Arteta has shared his feelings about Chelsea signing former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for the summer of the 2026 campaign.
Chelsea signed the veteran Argentine shot-stopper on very short notice after Robert Sanchez’s poor display in the season opener against Fulham.
After opting to take the number 26 jersey for his debut against Brighton that came the very day the club announced him, the custodian has switched to the No. 1 shirt and could make his second appearance for the Blues at the Emirates in Premier League match week 3 on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Arteta hailed Martinez as the top goalie and described the signing as a smart decision by Xabi Alonso’s team.
“It is a really smart decision. Obviously, I know Emi really well. We had him here. He is a top goalkeeper. It is clear what he is going to bring to the team, and I think it’s a really smart decision [signing him].”
The former Villa keeper is expected to be the Blues’ starter for the foreseeable future after Robert Sanchez, whom he displaced in the first-team spot, secured a move to Italy to join Cesc Fabregas’s Como.
The Arsenal connection
Martínez spent a decade at Arsenal (2010–2020) before joining Aston Villa for Ksh3.2 billion after helping the Gunners win the 2020 FA Cup.
His move to one of Arsenal’s fiercest rivals, Chelsea, adds an extra layer of intrigue to his London return, though his aggressive performances against his former club while at Villa have already shown he leaves friendships off the pitch.
Viewed as an upgrade to the injury-prone Sánchez, Martínez brings an upbeat mood to the Chelsea camp, with many viewing the goalkeeper as the potential missing piece in Chelsea’s title prospects under Xabi Alonso.
The Blues’ 12th signing of the season, part of an extensive squad revamp following a 10th-place finish last season, boasts elite shot-stopping prowess. The World Cup winner also holds a Europa League title and two Copa América trophies, bringing a winning mentality forged on football’s biggest stages.
