Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2020 in London, England.
Former Aston Villa striker Alan McInally says he has no idea how the club managed to sign Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal for just £20million.
The Argentinian keeper left North London for Villa Park this summer despite a series of impressive displays in the absence of Bernd Leno following a knee injury when football returned from lockdown.
Martinez helped the Gunners to lift the FA Cup, beating Manchester City in the semi-final and Chelsea in the final.
Despite his run in the side, Martinez could not take the No.1 spot back from Leno on a permanent basis, and decided to leave the club.
Sky Sports pundit McInally says that Martinez has already helped Villa to improve, and Arsenal will be kicking themselves at letting him go.
"I cannot believe we have horseshoed him out of London," McInally told Football Index.
"Emiliano Martinez is now Aston Villa goalkeeper and Arsenal will be thinking: 'who in God's name sanctioned that?'
"He's a really good goalkeeper. I think you've already seen Aston Villa look a lot better [defensively].
"What Aston Villa haven't had in a long time is a top goalkeeper and I think Martinez is and with a bit of luck he's going to prove we have basically stolen him for £20million from Arsenal."
Martinez was on the books at Arsenal for eight years, but in that time only managed to make 15 appearances in the Premier League, with a series of loan spells interrupting his time in North London.
The 28-year-old has also represented Argentina at Under-17 and Under-20 level, but not yet advanced to the senior side.