03 September 2023 , 08:00
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When Manchester United line up against Arsenal on Sunday, it will be another chance for Mikel Arteta to see what he might have won, but there's a difference this year.
United's defence will rely heavily on Lisandro Martinez, with injuries depleting them elsewhere. Raphael Varane was forced off early in last weekend's win against Nottingham Forest, while the loss of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia forced Erik ten Hag to wrap up a last-minute loan move for Sergio Reguilon.
Martinez easily could have ended up as an Arsenal player, with the Gunners interested in the Argentine when he was still at Ajax. However, after missing out on the World Cup winner, Mikel Arteta would go on to land former United target Jurrien Timber to gain some revenge.
Back in July 2022, Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reported Martinez had personally rejected Arsenal's approach. The defender had just won the Eredivisie title with Ajax, and would end up following Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford.
"He can play left-back, left central defender and left controlling midfielder," Ten Hag said during the 2021-22 season. "He has good technique, overview on the ball, duelling power, but he has less walking ability, for example."
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That season ended with Martinez named Ajax's player of the year before moving to United. However, while his versatility was a big factor before the move, he has settled in fine as a central defender.
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Lisandro Martinez scored against Arsenal in January (Getty Images)Martinez's first season in England was a success, despite a nightmare start in a 4-0 defeat at Brentford. As well as helping United return to the Champions League, he won the World Cup with Argentina in December.
It wasn't too big a loss for Arsenal in the end, though. William Saliba returned from loan to form an impressive central defensive partnership with Gabriel, while the defence was also bolstered by the arrival of Oleksandr ZInchenko in July and Jakub Kiwior in January.
Martinez was on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium as he attempted to haunt the Gunners. Even then, though, Arteta's team was able to claim a late winner en route to finishing second in the league - nine points clear of United.
Arsenal have since landed former Man Utd target Jurrien Timber (Getty Images)The revenge mission wasn't quite over, though. Martinez wasn't the only Ajax defender courted by United and Arsenal, and the second - Jurrien Timber - ended up joining the Gunners.
Timber passed on a move to Old Trafford last summer, opting instead to stay in Amsterdam. He couldn't help them retain their league title, though, with results falling off after Ten Hag's departure.
When Arsenal came calling this summer, though, he didn't say no. And he made it clear they weren't the only interested party.
“To be honest, I had some options but Arsenal was the only one I chose," the Dutch international said upon making the move. "It is a beautiful club. Look at last year. Of course, the previous years were beautiful but last year you saw a major step. The team grows and I want to be a part of it.
“Sometimes it is just a feeling. The way they play, the way I talk with the trainer. I just had a good feeling with it.
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“We have a strong team. Expectations are high because they had a great season last season and they bought some players. Let’s see what we can do.”
An injury on his Premier League debut means Timber won't be involved on Sunday, However, in getting their man, Arsenal have shown they've moved on from the Martinez disappointment, and this weekend's game can provide an idea of how far they've come.