Young Arsenal goalkeeper Damien Martinez has said that he believes he can step up to the plate as the Gunners’ goalkeeper crisis worsens.
It has been reported that Wojiech Szczesny and fellow goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski have had major injury setbacks. Reports suggest that Szczesny will not be able to return to training for another two or three weeks – the Pole hasn’t played for a month since injuring his ankle.
Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper, Fabianski has had even worse news, after learning that his new injury will keep him out for three months. He injured himself during a training session on Tuesday, rupturing his ankle ligaments.
Fabianski had been nearing a return to the first team after being out with shoulder problems and had apparently even been in line to start against Norwich on Saturday, which would have been his first appearance since the Gunners went out of the FA Cup this February.
The setbacks in the progress of the goalkeepers is a huge blow to Arsenal, with a large list of games coming up before January, where Arsene Wenger may have to buy a more experienced goalkeeper.
Though there is little doubt that Vito Mannone, who has started seven of the Gunners’ ten fixtures so far in the 2012/13 season will continue to be picked for now, Argentine Damien Martinez believes he could be a good choice to provide back-up, though he does not expect to start this weekend.
“I think I’m going to be on the bench but the possibility of playing from the start is always there. I’m prepared for that. I have shown that I can play at the top level, even at my age. It is the manager’s decision and I have to wait for that moment to come,” the young stopper said.
Martinez made his debut for Arsenal’s senior team in the Gunners’ 6-1 League Cup victory against Coventry.
