Arsenal youngster Damian Martinez is hoping to emulate first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny by heading out on loan next season before challenging for the No.1 spot.
The 19-year-old has established himself in the Gunners' reserve side this season, even managing to make the bench for some of the club’s League Cup and FA Cup matches.
And now the former Independiente shot-stopper is willing to drop down the divisions in search of first-team action, as Szczesny did with a spell at Brentford in 2009.
“I have been training all my life and I am ready to play,” Martinez told Arsenal's official website.
|
GOALFEST ON SUNDAY? |
|
|
2/1 |
Arsenal's match against Manchester City is 2/1 with Sportingbet to go over 3.5 goals |
“Gerry [Peyton, the goalkeeper coach,] said to me that I would be on the bench for the [League] Cup and then I was there for the FA Cup too. He said to me: 'If you have to come on, are you ready?', and I said 'Yes, I am ready'.
“I am still looking forward to being on the bench for a few more games, trying to do my best in the reserves and then be ready for the first team. These are my ambitions for the next two months.
“[Szczesny] said he wasn't ready for the first team yet so he went out on loan and learned so much there.
“Then he came back to Arsenal and played in the first team as he was ready. Next season a loan spell could be an option for me.”