Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Reading 's on loan goalkeeper Emi Martinez has called on Arsenal boss Unai Emery to sort out his future as quickly soon as possible.

The Argentine's reputation has shot up over the past few months after a hugely successful spell in the Championship with Royals.

The 26-year-old has been with the Gunners for nine years but has made just three league starts in that time, so he faces an uncertain future.

With a number of clubs - including Reading - expected to be interested in him this summer, Martinez has told Emery to let him know where his future lies for next season and beyond.

"I just want to know if they [Arsenal] trust me," said the goalkeeper, who is contracted with the North London . "If they want to give me the chance to become number one, I will stay there, no doubt.

"Arsenal are a club of my dreams but if they can't guarantee me any games then it's time for me to move on.

"I know I can be Arsenal no.1. I've got everything to do it but I want to play games.

"I need to sit down with Unai. After the season finishes I'll have a chat with him to see what his plans are for me.

"People think I am going to be second choice [at Arsenal because of Petr Cech's retirement] but I don't know what he [Emery] really wants from me.

"When I have that meeting, I'm going to have something on the table and then we'll move on from there. To be honest, I don't really know what the club wants from me.

"I knew they wanted me to come here to do really well. But Arsenal have always signed goalkeepers in front of me so I never know."

Martinez is currently in his sixth loan spell away from the Gunners, having joined them in 2010.

He has played a huge part in helping Reading to safety in the Championship over the second half of the season, following a number of impressive performances for Jose Gomes' side.

A run of six wins and only five defeats in 19 games since the middle of January has helped Royals win their battle against the drop.

His performances have not gone unnoticed with virtually every Royals fan desperate for the club to sign him.

Martinez says support like this is key to wherever he ends up for the 2019/20 season.

"I want to feel valuable in a club," he said. "I want to feel like I am important, that's why I give everything.

"The fans see that and the club sees that. I don't care if I am on loan or permanent, I always give my best in games. I want to feel valuable wherever I am.

(Image: Eddie Greville)

"I've played big games in my career like in the Champions League and I got a call-up for the national team - they are big moments in my career.

"I'm at that age now where I need to be settled in one place.

"I've only been three months here but I've really shown I need to play regularly. I'm tired of going on loan, I just want to be permanent somewhere."

Reading have one game left to play this season, at home to Birmingham City on Sunday (12.30pm kick-off).

It's set to be the final match for Martinez in Reading colours - and the other loanees - as things stand with the club yet to say whether they will be signing any of them again either permanently or on loan.

When asked if Reading would be a realistic option for him beyond the summer, he replied: "I spoke with my agent before the Bristol City game, he asked me what I thought.

"I just said honestly I wanted to keep Reading up, that was my priority.

"The first six months at Arsenal was not good for me - I spent loads of games on the bench and only played one U23 game and a Europa League game. I had nothing to fight for.

"I came to Reading for a challenge. It could have gone well - like it has done - or it could have been really bad and we could have ended up in League One.

"My dad always says football gives you revenge - and this shows I am mentally prepared to play in any league at any level."

Martinez admitted the Reading fans' support has been a key reason for the reversal in the side's fortunes after a dismal start to the campaign.

Royals went in to 2019 having won just four league games out of 25 under former boss Paul Clement and caretaker manager Scott Marshall.

The five loan arrivals in the January transfer window had the desired effect in giving the team quality and impetus, however, with safety being officially confirmed on Saturday when Rotherham United lost to West Brom.

Martinez said: "I came to Reading for a challenge. When I arrived we were in the bottom three, we had Bolton away which was a massive game and we were three or four points off safety.

"After Hull, when we lost I felt we got relaxed for that game because we got a win a few days before. Rotherham won their game and we were only one point off safety.

"Then we thought we had a lot to do here because we had Norwich, Bristol City, Brentford - big games.

"But I thought we did really well and we showed the character of a big team - it was really good.

"We've done really well as a club, fans, players - everyone has played a part."

On the Reading fans, Martinez added: "They are incredible. After the fourth game [I played] I heard them cheering my name.

"As a loan payer to hear that after four games is very enjoyable so that gives me motivation to give my performances back to them.

"They deserve it - away or home I can always hear them cheering out my name."

Don't forget to keep an eye out on our social media pages for more Royals news .

Our Twitter page is @getreadingfc and we are also on Facebook: Reading FC - Get Reading .