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'We believed it was the right thing to do': Mikel Arteta insists he has no regrets selling £20m understudy Emi Martinez as Arsenal prepare to go up against their FA Cup final hero for the first time

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his decision to sell Emi Martinez to Aston Villa and reinstate Bernd Leno as No. 1 will be justified when the goalkeeping pair face each other for the first time on Sunday.

Argentine ace Martinez won the hearts and minds of many Arsenal fans when he replaced an injured Leno for the lockdown stages of last season.

Dynamic displays against Liverpool and Wembley FA Cup glory against Chelsea and Manchester City indicated he would start the season as Arteta's first choice – especially after a Community Shield penalty shoot-out win over Premier League champions Liverpool.