Petr Cech names £17m Premier League star who has benefitted the most from Arsenal transfer risk

Petr Cech has heaped praise on Emiliano Martinez, who enjoyed a meteoric rise to superstardom after leaving Arsenal. Since swapping the Emirates Stadium for Villa Park in September 2020, the 31-year-old goalkeeper has won both the World Cup and the Copa America with Argentina.

Martinez has picked up plenty of individual accolades, too. The shot-stopper was awarded player of the season in his debut season at Aston Villa before claiming 'Best Goalkeeper' at the Copa America in 2021, the 'Golden Glove' at the World Cup in 2022, the 'Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper' in 2022 as well as the 'Yashin Trophy' in 2023.

More recently, the Argentinean has also become a key player in Unai Emery's side, who have emerged as a dark horse in the race for Champions League qualification. Speaking on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, Cech showered Martinez with praise.

«The other two obvious ones, and we’ve seen the change at Arsenal, Emi Martinez is another one,» said the Chelsea legend. «The way since he left Arsenal and started playing at Aston Villa, became the number one for Argentina, a world champion he’s really gone in the right direction and he’s doing really well.»

Speaking to Sky Sports in October 2021, Martinez revealed why he left Arsenal despite having lead the club to glory in the Community Shield. The £17million-rated goalkeeper claimed that the Gunners never gave him the assurances over future playing time in north London while negotiating a new deal.

«I love everything about Arsenal. I still love them and I'm still watching the games, but I just felt like they didn't trust me like they should have,» said Martinez. «When I was on a high, I still felt like they didn't deserve me because of the way they were treating me.