Chris Kirkland has told GIVEMESPORT that Bernd Leno is a considerably better goalkeeper than Emiliano Martinez following the latter’s exit.
Villa paid £17m to sign Martinez in the summer transfer window, snaffling him away from the Gunners and he has been in exceptional form for the club.
They have enjoyed some exceptional results, beating Liverpool 7-2 and, ironically, the Gunners 3-0.
They are currently sixth in the Premier League table, having won five and lost just two of their seven games; the defeats came against Leeds United and Southampton.
Arsenal, by comparison, have won four of their eight games and lost four, with Bernd Leno between the sticks.
He has conceded 10 goals in eight games, while Martinez has shipped nine in seven.
The two seem pretty even, then but Kirkland insists that Leno is the better player.
Kirkland, who played for the likes of Liverpool, Wigan Athletic, and Sheffield Wednesday, while also winning one cap for England, worked with Martinez while he was playing for the Owls, with Martinez on loan at the club back in 2014.
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “I did hear Arsenal people saying he should be there. But I didn't see that to be honest.
“I’ve worked with Emi and he is a good keeper, don’t get me wrong, but Leno's more experienced, and better than him.
“And I think that's proven now, Leno’s been superb at Arsenal.”
The two sides are surely both happy now. Martinez is currently the first-choice at Villa, something he never was during his time at the Gunners, while his old club still have Leno at their disposal, an excellent Premier League goalkeeper.
This might be one of those rare things; a genuine win-win.