"I don't think he's world class" - Gabby Agbonlahor claims Aston Villa man is better than Arsenal star
Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is better than Arsenal custodian Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale and Martinez have both been impressive in the Premier League this season for their respective sides.
However, Gabby Agbonlahor, who formerly played for Aston Villa, has claimed that Arsenal number one Aaron Ramsdale is not a world-class keeper.
The Englishman further commented that Aston Villa have a better keeper than Ramsdale in the form of Emiliano Martinez. The former Aston Villa attacker also insisted that his former club must keep hold of a top goalkeeper like Martinez.
The 36-year-old told talkSPORT:
“I don’t think he’s [Aaron Ramsdale] world-class. No, he’s not world-class. Yesterday, I was talking to someone about Martinez, [there has] been talk that all the big clubs want Aston Villa’s goalkeeper."
He added:
"I’m saying, ‘you can’t let him go, Aston Villa!’. Because every club that’s doing well in world football has got a top goalkeeper and he’s top. Martinez is better than Ramsdale for me.”
Quite interestingly, Martinez was formerly on the books of Arsenal for a total of 10 years and was let go by Mikel Arteta in 2020. During his long stay at the north London club, Martinez could not establish himself as the number one and was loaned out to six different clubs.
He got an opportunity to shine due to an injury to Bernd Leno in 2019–20 and earned a move to Aston Villa in 2020. The Argentina international has not looked back since and has established himself as one of the best keepers in the Premier League. He has also helped La Albiceleste win three international trophies, including the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Meanwhile, Ramsdale has also impressed since joining Arsenal in the summer of 2021 and is regarded as one of the best young keepers in world football. The 25-year-old has signed a new deal to extend his stay at the Emirates until the summer of 2026, with an option of a further year, as per Sky Sports.
Darren Bent claims the Manchester City star is levels above Arsenal midfielder
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has claimed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri is a tier above Arsenal's Thomas Partey. The Englishman has lavished praise on the Spanish midfielder and lauded him as the best No. 6 in world football at the moment.
Speaking about Rodri, Bent said on talkSPORT (as quoted by HITC):
“For me, he is the best holding midfielder in the world. Right now, he is the best holding midfielder in the world. At the start of the season, for my sins, I was saying that Thomas Partey [was the best No. 6 in the world], who start of the season, unbelievable. He can’t lace Rodri’s boots!”
Rodri has been sensational for Manchester City this season in a treble-hunting team. The Spaniard has played 52 times across competitions this season, scoring three goals and providing seven assists.
Partey has been stellar for Arsenal for the majority of the campaign as well, but his form has taken a dip at a crucial point of the season. The former Atletico Madrid midfielder, who used to be Rodri's teammate at the Spanish club, has three goals to his name in 38 games this season.