EMILIANO Martinez admits there is no time to reflect on his impressive start at Reading FC due to their ongoing relegation worries.

Martinez has conceded just one goal in three games since arriving from Arsenal on loan for the rest of the season.

The Argentine keeper helped Royals keep a clean sheet in their last two matches after back-to-back 0-0 draws with Aston Villa at home and at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

However, Jose Gomes’ men remain in the relegation zone going into tomorrow night’s home clash with Blackburn Rovers at Madejski Stadium (8pm ko).

Martinez, 26, declared: “Sheffield Wednesday is behind us so now we’re focussed on Blackburn.

“We had a good game against Aston Villa last time we were at Madejski Stadium, and we’ll be looking for the three points against Blackburn at home.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game for us, but we’ve gained points away from home, and we’re not afraid of anyone.

“Confidence is good. When I came here, it surprised me how good a group we have. Everyone gets on well. It’s surprising to see that when you come into the dressing room of a team that is threatened with relegation, you expect that it might be tough to integrate or make friends. That’s not the case at all.

“I feel at home and it’s a great group. That’s why everyone is confident that we’ll get out of this situation.”

Martinez’s arrival paved the way for Vito Mannone to join MLS side Minnesota United on loan for the rest of 2019.

And the Gunners stopper revealed his move to Berkshire came after a lengthy conversation with former Reading keeper turned coach, Sal Bibbo.

“I knew Reading from before. Salvatore Bibbo is the Arsenal goalkeeper coach and used to work here (from 2006-2015). He said really good things about the club. Obviously it’s a bit of pressure, but I like challenges.

“When Reading were interested, Sal said it was going to be great for me and that it was a great club with great people. He had been here so many years and just said go, don’t even think about it.

“I really look up to Sal, he’s a great goalkeeper coach and a great man so he was a major influence in me coming here.

“When Arsene Wenger left, so many people were sacked at Arsenal. The fact Arsenal kept him (Bibbo) was for a reason. I’m very pleased that he’s still at Arsenal.”

Martinez, has three more years on his Arsenal contract and says he is not thinking of anything else other than helping Royals avoid relegation.

Reading are his sixth loan club in the past seven years following spells with Oxford, Rotherham, Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday and Getafe.

Bracknell News:

Ex-Readng FC keepers (l-r) Alex McCarthy, Sal Bibbo (coach), Mikkel Andersen and Adam Federici.

“I had many offers abroad but Unai (Emery, Arsenal boss) asked me to stay and that it was going to be a really good season for me,” said Martinez. He promised me games and unfortunately he didn’t give me the games that I needed.

“I had offers to go abroad but when Reading came up, I pushed the manager to go. I’m not thinking about next season or what am I going to do, sign for another club or sign for Reading. I’m concentrated on keeping Reading out of the relegation zone and whatever happens in the summer will happen.”