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Martin Keown questions Arsenal's decision to sell Emiliano Martinez

Martin Keown questions whether Arsenal made the right decision in allowing Emiliano Martinez to join Aston Villa.

Martin Keown has claimed that Arsenal should have retained the services of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

At a time when Bernd Leno was sidelined with a knee injury, Martinez made a positive impression between the sticks, helping the Gunners win the FA Cup.

However, Mikel Arteta opted to recall Leno on his return to the squad, resulting in Martinez being allowed to join Aston Villa.

While the North London outfit put the funds towards making several high-profile additions, Keown has cast doubt over the decision after Leno struggled against Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening.

Speaking to BT Sport, Keown said: "Having let Martinez go, who was magnificent, to see Leno making these types of mistakes, you wonder whether it was the right call.

"It was a difficult night for Leno. The team had their backs to the wall but showed very good character to get back into it.

"A couple of changes were made. I thought when they changed it actually and went to a back five, the pictures then became more familiar to the players and they found a way to win this match."

Martinez has started in each of Villa's four successive wins in the Premier League this season.

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Emiliano Martinez in action for Aston Villa against Sheffield United on September 21, 2020
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2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
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16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


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