With their first choice Szczesny building off previous seasons' successes to start to offer Arsenal a strong contender between the posts, it's easy to forget Arsenal's other young goalkeeping talent. Argentinian Damien Martinez is on loan at the moment and raising eyebrows and commendations with his current string of strong performances. Chris Kirkland made his move to the Owls after trying to rebuild his career after long term back injuries which kept him out of contention for the England squad (back in the day when Robinson and Carson were battling over the number 1 jersey) but is now being pushed out of starts, demoted by his coach to the bench. Coaching staff are going with the "hot hand" as they say in ice hockey, making the most of a goalkeeper playing confidently on a hot streak, making the most of the chance to get the most points available from games as a result. But this leaves Kirkland in the lurch after earning the same coaches' confidence in him.
For Martinez it is a chance to show what he's capable and prove his worth, building himself up to challenge the Polish international above him for the Arsenal first team place, with Fabianski on the move (predicted destination: Germany) at the end of the season potentially to aid his own international and club ambitions. Being a first choice at a Championship side is no mean feat given the responsibility required for the goalkeeper not to make mistakes, come up trumps each game and be able to bounce back from poor games (needing the mental stamina to do so). And the Argentinian is making waves right now. Short term loans are good in the short term, but where does this leave either goalkeeper in the long term?!
For Martinez it is a chance to show what he's capable and prove his worth, building himself up to challenge the Polish international above him for the Arsenal first team place, with Fabianski on the move (predicted destination: Germany) at the end of the season potentially to aid his own international and club ambitions. Being a first choice at a Championship side is no mean feat given the responsibility required for the goalkeeper not to make mistakes, come up trumps each game and be able to bounce back from poor games (needing the mental stamina to do so). And the Argentinian is making waves right now. Short term loans are good in the short term, but where does this leave either goalkeeper in the long term?!