GOALKEEPER Emi Martinez admitted that he is unsure where he will be playing next season, with Reading likely to be one of many clubs interested after his loan spell at the club from Arsenal.
Martinez joined Arsenal in 2010 but has been on six loans spells during his time at the Emirates, with Reading being his most successful stint having made several outstanding performances during his 18 league appearances.
“I’m of the age where I need to settle in one place, I’ve been at Reading for three months and it shows I need to play regularly. I’m tired of going on loan, I want to be permanent somewhere,” said Martinez.
“I spoke with my agent before the Bristol game and I said honestly I just want to keep Reading up, that’s my priority and then go on holiday because the first six months at Arsenal were not good for me.
“I want to feel valuable and important at a club, I don’t care if you’re on loan or permanent, I always give my best so it’s nice to feel valuable.
“I’ve been on loan so many times so this is the last time I will go on loan before I go somewhere permanently or stay at the club I love.
“After the fourth game I heard the fans singing my name which is incredible and as and that’s given me motivation to give performances back to them because they deserve it, I’ve had a really good time here.”
The Argentine joined the Royals in January as part of five loan signings who have contributed greatly to the clubs survival after they confirmed their Championship status for next season.
“When I signed here it could have gone really well to keep Reading up or we could have gone down to League One but now knowing we have survived is a really great feeling,” continued Martinez.
“Reading have done really well because they’ve found loan players that are capable of helping the team and being mentally prepared, they’re all people who have winning mentalities.
Despite being unsure of his future for next season, Martinez has high ambitions and believes he has what it takes to make it as the Arsenal number one goalkeeper.
“I need to sit down with Unai Emery and discuss after the season finishes and see what his plans are for me.
“I just want to know if they (Arsenal) trust me and will give me the chance to become number one and if that’s the case I will stay there no doubt because it’s the club of my dreams.
“I know I can be Arsenal number one, I have everything it takes to do it. But if they can’t guarantee me games then it’s time for me to move on.”
Martinez was full of praise for Reading manager Jose Gomes and said he was a main factor in deciding to join the Royals on loan in January.
“He’s a great manager, I didn’t know him personally before I joined but I had heard really good stuff about him.
“It really surprised me the first training session, everything was being played from the bak like we do at Arsenal, so to do that in the Championship is really hard because every team presses you.
“The manager always tells us we need to enjoy and be like a family and that’s the feeling we’ve got from him is to work as a family.
“Jose is doing a really good job and if he stays here I think next season Reading will fight to be in the play-offs 100%.”
