Why Arsenal should return for Aitor Fernandez in the future
According to AS (h/t Football.london), Aitor Fernandez has revealed that there was interest from Arsenal in the summer and there was contact made regarding a transfer. The Gunners were looking for a second choice keeper after the exit of Emiliano Martinez. They ended up signing Runar Alex Runarsson.
Profile
Aitor Fernandez is a 29-year-old Spanish goalkeeper who plays for La Liga side Levante. A product of the Athletic Bilbao academy, he joined the youth setup in 2003. Spending 4 years in youth level, he was then promoted to the U-19s.
After one season, he was sent to CD Basconia for development. On his return, he was moved up to the Bilbao ‘B’ team. In total, he would make 30 appearances for them before being sent on loan to Barakaldo CF.
Post his loan spell, he was signed on a free transfer by Villarreal and was drafted into their ‘B’ side. Making over 100 appearances for them, he kept 34 clean sheets. After three and a half seasons, he moved to CD Numancia.
Spending two years there, he finally ended up signing for Levante in 2018. So far, he has played 65 games for the club, keeping 8 clean sheets in the process (source – Transfermarkt). Fernandez played his youth football for Spain but is yet to receive a call-up to the senior side.
Fernandez would add some valuable experience to Arsenal
With Emiliano Martinez finishing the last season strongly, it was expected that he would be competing fairly with Leno this season. However, as soon as Leno returned from injury, he was reinstalled as the No.1. After that, Martinez left the club believing that he was unlikely to get a lot of chances.
While Alex Runarsson is a good young keeper, he doesn’t look like someone who is going to challenge Leno for his spot. An experienced shot-stopper is needed at the club, who can not only deputise for Leno but also challenge him for the No.1 spot.
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Arsenal can revisit their interest in Aitor Fernandez as he perfectly fits the bill of what they need. The shot-stopper is an experienced man in Spanish top-flight and also a reliable presence in goal.
The Gunners should look to recruit the Spaniard in the January transfer window or next season as he would add some valuable experience to the side and challenge Bernd Leno for a starting spot.
