There have been many Arsenal fans calling on Bernd Leno being our Number One right from the start of the season, but Petr Cech rallied and won back the support of most of the fanbase with some excellent performances in our winning League run.
But now that the big Czech has sustained a hamstring injury against Watford, Leno was given his chance and he also played well making a couple of excellent stops to keep us in the game, which was probably helped by him getting 90 minutes against Brentford in midweek.
Emery doesn-t think that Cech will be back quickly as he said after the match: “I don’t know now, tomorrow I know more. Maybe it’s two or three weeks, it’s muscular (hamstring).”
And on Leno, the Spanish boss said: “He has been working every day so that when his moment arrives, he is OK to help us. And today he did that,”
“He was patient to wait for his moment, and it’s arriving,”
“The most important is that when the team needs his help, he has to be prepared. And he is doing that.”
He certainly did that, and we can now see how well he can cope with the pressures of the Premier League for a few weeks, but do you think Emery will immediately drop him when Cech is recovered from his injury? Or do you think Leno should now be our permanent first choice?
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I thought Leno outstanding, especially coming into a game as a sub. It’s only his first league appearance, but he proved why he should have started our season first choice. Cech has improved generally, but his ball control, and passing ability, are just an accident waiting to happen.
No one likes seeing a player getting injured, but I do not mind a small injury, if it’s enough to get them out of the team for a month or so, and give someone else a chance. Hopefully Leno can cement himself as first choice in Cech’s absence.
Agree with you ThirdMan, the save he pulled off, down low to his left, just after coming on was the save of the season from an Arsenal perspective and was brilliant with the ball at his feet. I think he should be a certain starter from now on
What makes it the save of the season? Cech has made similar a similar save against Everton I think. He has saved freekicks and even one on one chances. Let’s watch Leno for a few weeks, before we can draw any conclusions. No hasty conclusions Pls.
Nicely pragmatic @Namo, good to see.
Cech should retain his place after recovering, because he is in a mission of getting a new contract
So you think Cech should retain his place because he wants a new contract? Clueless
Cech should keep his place once he’s recovered because he’s better and has bags of experience to go with. Y’all insisting Leno should be an automatic starter are damn clueless. He has to wrestle the starting spot from Cech, now he’s got the chance,lets see him grab it.
I believe you @kev, because Ornstein the Oracle has said so
Please don’t be discouraged and keep posting rumors/ news
Really?Bores the arse off me to be honest.Nobody really takes seriously do they?
Time will tell based on Leno’s performances during Cech’s injury absence.
@i’m expecting leno to perform in such a way he will cast a shadow over cech – that moment of truth (for fans and for leno) will be when he’s chosen for the game vs l’pool. Difficult to see cech will be ready for that particular showdown…
Relax man, he is just another Arsenal fan like us
Arsenal forever
Why does it matter to you so much what people think? I always feel that when people are so obviously concerned, as you clearly are, what people think of them, an obvious insecurity of character is likely. Just state your case; some will like you, others will not. That is life. You alone know the real truth about yourself, as we all do with ourselves. Why bother trying to please everyone? Just be yourself, be truthful with your opinions as to how you REALLY feel and accept lifes conseqences.You( or any of us) will never please everyone, so why try? This (in part) is why I am glad the thumbs have gone, never to return , hopefully.
Nice to see we agree, for once.
I always look at myself first if I have a problem with someone. After analysis it usually works out that I am not alone in the issues I have with that person. The fault often lies elsewhere.
Cech, Leno and Martinez will all help Arsenal this season whenever any of them is called upon to mann the goal post for Arsenal in games. For now, Cech remains the first choise keeper for Arsenal in the PL and in the Cup games against tough and big club opposition teams. Leno will remain his able assistant providing cover to him as 2nd choise keeper. And Martinez is the understudy keeper to both Cech and Leno at number 3 providing cover to both Cech and Leno patiently awaiting his chance to mann Arsenal goal when it comes for him this season. For the time being, Leno manns the post for Arsenal against Qarabag on Thursday night this week in the Europa and against Fulham next Sunday afternoon in the PL before the international break. After the international break, Emery could return Cech to mann the goal for Arsenal at home against Liecester in the PL but if he has fully recovered from his hamstring injury and he’s fully match fit and ready to start.
Cech shouldn’t walk straight back into the team.
Form people, form!
If Leno is letting in some silly goals then he should lose his spot, if he is doing everything he can and not put a foot wrong then he shouldn’t get dropped, Cech should be made to fight harder.
That is also what I think will happen.
Cech’s an accident waiting to happen every time the ball’s at his feet. He’s made one or two decent saves this season with shots mainly hit straight at him, nothing spectacular. The save Leno pulled off against Watford shortly after coming on was better than anything Cech’s done all season and his footwork is so far ahead it makes Cech look like a schoolboy.
No one can possibly know whether Cech will regain his Prem place when fit. Even Emery will not know for certain right now. Surely much depends on LENO while he is in goal. Whatever your team position , current form SHOULD always be vital for your place. Under Wenger, certain players (we all know who) were assured of a place, whatever their form . THAT IS PLAIN WRONG AND I AM SURE EMERY IS TOTALLY DIFFRENT. INDEED HE HAS SHOWN THAT ALREADY. His passion and energy, Klopp like, is slowly but surely transforming our on field attitude. To go much further though, he and we need better players in several positions. That is plain realism.
i can make a small prediction since he’s out for three weeks, good luck cech in getting that no 1 spot back you will see the difference john when we are playing from the back, much quicker faster transitions, avoiding the press etc…. one of the premier league great keepers but his time is up, not for this style of football, i wish he was our keeper when he came from france but now it’s Leno time!!!
You’re right man. Same way they drove Naija Jollof out. I miss that dude.
Meanwhile Leno just needs a few good performances to cement his position as #1
i see leno as the longterm choice – by it i suggest our measure and ambition is better gauged by how he performs rather than how cech – because leno is the longterm option and the sooner he is between the sticks the more assured he (as well the fans) will be. Cech is our back-up (imo), the new boy won’t flip-flop, he will assert himself now he has his chance.
If he continues to play like he did against Watford Leno will take over as our number 1 keeper.
Emi Martinez seems to be the forgotten man. Hes been here a while and was keeper for the (in)famous 7-5 cup match with Reading. Yes, he made mistakes but kept on going. How does anyone rate him?