Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez says leaving Arsenal was the making of him.

Argentina's No1 Martinez is now a World Cup and was also named the Lev Yashin Trophy winner as the world's Goalkeeper of the Year.

He told France Football: "I spoke to Mikel Arteta, my Arsenal manager, and he I said that my dream was to play for the national team and that for this reason I had to leave.

"He wasn't happy, but he understood, he told me that he would give me a severance package and that Aston Villa bet on me. Thanks to this club I was able to achieve my goal and this year we are playing a European cup for the first time in 13 years.

"Me like a rocket? Yes, a rocket with a tank full of nitroglycerin and turbines blaring! (laughs). In reality, it is the result of a process that lasted several years. I worked so hard to get there that when I started the national team I didn't feel any pressure. It was an immense pride to be there and I wanted to take advantage of it. Every time I have to play with Argentina I'm like a child with his new toy."