Tony Adams questions Mikel Arteta’s decision to keep Bernd Leno and sell Emiliano Martinez

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed Bernd Leno is not a ‘top-four goalkeeper’ and has warned Mikel Arteta that he may ended up regretting letting Emiliano Martinez leave for Aston Villa.

Leno was the Gunners’ No 1 for much of the 2019-20 season but picked up an injury towards the end of the campaign and Martinez was finally given his chance in the first team.

The goalkeeper had been loaned out six times in eight years but grasped his opportunity with impressive performances, helping the club to win the FA Cup against Chelsea and the Community Shield against Liverpool.

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed Gunners No 1 Bernd Leno is not a top-four keeper

Adams also questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to sell Emiliano Martinez (above) to Aston Villa

But Leno’s return to fitness saw him reinstated as the club’s No 1 and Martinez was sold to Aston Villa – where he has already kept two clean sheets in his first two games. He also saved a penalty on his debut against Sheffield United.

And after watching Leno concede three goals against Liverpool on Monday, former Gunners’ defender Adams questioned his credentials as a top four ‘keeper while highlighting the impact of Martinez at the end of last season.

‘Martinez was incredible in their cup run. He was absolutely sensational,’ Adams told Astro SuperSport.

Martinez played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup and Community Shield victories in August

‘And I do like big ones and what Leno does struggle with, for me, is crosses and stuff.

‘But it isn’t about me. Arteta’s gone, “No, Leno is my number one, I like him”, and he’s put all his faith in him. But I don’t believe that he’s a top four goalkeeper, for me. 

‘Martinez, it was coincidence, everything fell into place for Arsenal in the cup competition last year, it was like it was written in the stars.

Leno was reinstated as the No 1 this season but conceded three goals at Anfield on Monday

Martinez has kept two clean sheets in his first two games and saved a penalty on his Villa debut

‘This goalkeeper comes in – been at the club for 10 years and not played 10 games – and he stops everything! He was a man possessed, he was absolutely incredible. And for me, he was the No 1.

‘Now you’ve made the opportunity, you’ve got experience, go okay, yep. But Arteta’s the man and he’s chosen a different goalkeeper.’

Leno kept a clean sheet in the opening game against Fulham but has conceded four goals in his last two league matches. The Gunners face Sheffield United, who are yet to score this season, at the Emirates on Sunday.