Arsenal's Martinez joins Getafe on shock season-long loan

Arsenal 'keeper Emiliano Martinez is swapping the English capital for the environs of its Spanish counterpart, agreeing to a season-long loan with La Liga side Getafe.

The north London lot announced the news with a statement on its website Wednesday, adding "Emi now heads to Spain to gain further first-team experience. We'd like to wish him well for the year ahead."

Martinez's move to Spain comes as a bit of a shock after reports suggested second-choice shot-stopper David Ospina was seeking greener pastures in light of a struggle for first-team opportunities behind Petr Cech.

The Argentine's move to Getafe all but snuffs out an exit for Ospina, a decision that is likely to cause confusion among the Arsenal faithful after Wojciech Szczesny made a permanent move to Juventus at the start of the summer transfer window.

Martinez, 24, enlisted with Arsenal's academy in 2010 from Argentines Independiente, earning promotion to the first team that was followed by loan spells with Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, and Wolves. The Argentine made two Premier League appearances last season and five in all competitions, notching a clean sheet against West Ham in April before playing a significant role during the summer's pre-season preparations.

Getafe returns to La Liga after a one-year absence that followed a dozen seasons in Spain's top flight. The team is set to kick-off the 2017-18 campaign with a visit to Athletic Bilbao on Aug. 20.