Mikel Arteta admits that the decision to sell Emiliano Martinez was a 'sacrifice' Arsenal made to try and help them land their top transfer targets between now and the end of the summer window on October 5.
The Gunners allowed Martinez to join Aston Villa this week in a £20 million ($26m) deal, ending the Argentine goalkeeper’s decade-long stay at the club.
The 28-year-old was determined to make the move to the Midlands, with Villa having given him assurances about being first choice this season, but Arsenal were reluctant to let him go with a replacement yet to arrive.