Arsenal are preparing a fresh bid for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya as Emiliano Martinez closes in on a move to Aston Villa.
The long-serving Argentine was a revelation last season when he filled in for Bernd Leno, helping the Gunners end a difficult season with unlikely silverware in the shape of the FA Cup.
With Leno having recovered sooner than expected from a knee injury, Martinez was reluctant to revert to the role of understudy and is seeking a move away after over a decade of service in north London.
Leno started in goal and kept a clean sheet as Arsenal began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, while Martinez was given permission to travel to the Midlands ahead of a medical with the Gunners said to have accepted a £16million bid.
Raya has been earmarked as Martinez’s replacement and, according to The Sun, Arsenal are prepared to pay as much as £10million for the Spaniard who missed his side’s defeat at Birmingham on Saturday through injury.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Craven Cottage, Arteta, with a nod to Martinez’s mentality, conceded any player not willing to fight for their place should look to leave.
He said: ‘They want to know their role and at the end of the day it is one position to fill in, and the other one has to support the No. 1 and the one who is playing 100%,.
‘If you are not able to do that, you cannot be part of our top squad and you should not be here.’
