A season that has promised so much for Arsenal is now in danger of fizzling out.

Just one week ago, the Gunners were in pole position for the Premier League title and in contention for the Champions League semi-finals.

However, Arsenal’s weekend defeat to Aston Villa – combined with Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace – handed the advantage to Manchester City.

And in midweek, the Gunners came up short against Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena.

Going back to Arsenal’s home loss to Aston Villa, one player in particular haunted the Gunners during the match.

The player in question is Emiliano Martinez, who was on Arsenal’s books for many years before eventually leaving for Villa.

Martinez made a superb save with his legs to thwart Leandro Trossard close to half time. He also denied Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

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Sam Allardyce, speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, has now given his verdict on Arsenal’s decision to offload the Argentine.

What has Sam Allardyce said about Arsenal decision to sell Emi Martinez?

The veteran coach said: “I look at Arsenal now and say, ‘why did you let him go?’

“I mean, he’s a World Cup winner and he has to be the top goalkeeper. He has to be one number one or number two in the Premier League, without a doubt.”

Four years on, and Arsenal’s decision to sell the “world-class” Martinez appears to still be haunting them.

Not only is Martinez now worth a lot more than £20million, but the keeper who Arsenal chose over Martinez – Bernd Leno – has since also left.

And this summer, Leno’s replacement – Aaron Ramsdale – is now likely to leave too. As for Raya, he wasn’t at his best on Sunday, and the jury remains out on him.

You can’t help but wonder how things might have panned out on a wider scheme had Arsenal sold Leno and made Martinez their first-choice stopper. Talk about a sliding doors moment.