Arsenal’s Damian Martinez delighted to be involved with Argentina squad in Nigeria

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By Kevin Laign 1 Jun 2011 16:55:00 Premier League : William Gallas (Tottenham) - (Panoramic) Related Links Teams Players Tottenham Hotspur defender William Gallas has high hopes for the 2011-2012 campaign and has set his sights on bringing a trophy to White Hart Lane. The 33-year-old moved to the club on a free transfer last summer, and the former Arsenal man, who made 36 appearances for Spurs and penned a new contract with the north London club in March, is already looking to a successful second season

By Daniel Edwards

1 Jun 2011 17:27:00

Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez declared himself over the moon to be involved with the Argentine national team after receiving a late call-up to join the Albiceleste for their friendly in Nigeria.

Martinez, just 18 years old and a product of the Independiente youth system before moving to England, received the call after Oscar Ustari suffered a knee injury in training and was ruled out of tonight’s friendly. He will sit on the bench for the Seleccion, behind Rojo No.1 Adrian Gabbarini in a team formed from players under 25 years old based in Europe.

Speaking on Tuesday evening after a madcap dash to Abuja, the teenager admitted that he could not believe he was involved in the national team, and that it still felt unreal to him.

“My agent called me, he told me and I couldn’t believe him, I thought that he was winding me up. It was an incredible bit of news,” Martinez told Radio Belgrano.

“I threw my gloves and boots into a suitcase and I left. I didn’t even bring a toothbrush! I am here to test myself and when you are given these chances, you cannot waste them.”

The goalkeeper has been training with the senior Arsenal team for just over a month.

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Arsenal’s Damian Martinez delighted to be involved with Argentina squad in Nigeria