Despite the German keeper Bernd Leno arriving with a big fanfare in the summer, I always insisted that Petr Cech would continue to be Arsenal’s Number One this season while the younger man settled in and learned about life in the Premier League.
That proved to be correct and Leno himself is happy to wait for his chance to step up to the plate. ‘I am convinced that my change was the right decision,’ he said. ‘I’m not crazy. It may take a few weeks or months, but my time here will come.’
Emery’s choice has also been vindicated in the fact that Cech is actually the top shot-stopper in the League, according to the early stats, having saved 18 of the 24 shots on his goal. It doesn’t say a lot about our defence though who are giving our opponents space at an alarming rate!
But I am sure Leno will get to play in the League Cup and the Caraboa Cup to give him his first taste of English football, as Emery himself said after our first match against Man City: ‘We want the competition with the goalkeeper and also every player in the squad,’
‘The position is the same. The same chances for all the goalkeepers.
‘Petr Cech had a very good pre-season. He has experience of continuing to defend our goal.
‘Leno is [just] starting with us, he is working very well and also played very good in pre-season. He can wait his moment.’
At least we will see lots of Leno in less competitive games (like Brentford in the Carabao Cup) so we can see how he has progressed since his arrival, before putting him in the deep end. Or do you think we should be playing him in games like Cardiff away tomorrow?
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Cech has done nothing to deserve being dropped this season so Leno will have to wait for his chance.We have Carabao and Europa Cup games coming up so he will soon get games.If Cech’s form drops then I will expect that to signal the end for him at Arsenal providing Leno performs.
Yes, Cech must start against Cardiff
He is very experienced, commanding, respected by Arsenal defenders and has been good so far
Apart from his playing out from the back!! ?
You know what Sue? The first thing I thought of when you wrote that was Rolf Harris ( yes him) and Jake the Peg.Does that remind you of Cech at all when trying to become the Liam Brady of GK’s?
Oh no not Rolf the perv! He could do with an extra leg, so I don’t have a heart attack every time the ball is at his feet!
What do you think of our group in Europa?
Just been looking at how I can get to Qurabag and Vorskla and both could be a bit of a challenge.It terms of the draw it looks straight forward on paper but Emery will mix the side up so as always there’s a risk of a slip up along the way.But this is a good chance of a trophy so I can’t believe he will go into these games too light.
You’ll get there! I’ve not heard of Vorskia… so let’s hope we go one further this time… and win it!!!!
Cech justifies his position on form, because he has lifted his game knowing that Leno is waiting his chance.
However why is Bellerin selected over Lichtsteiner at RB; it certainly isn’t on form? Similarly Torreira and Lacazette should start against Cardiff.
I AM NOT A HUGE CECH FAN, AS HE IS NOW, BUT HE DESERVES TO STAY IN THE TEAM ON THIS SEASON’S FORM SO FAR. It will not be long term though, IMO, as he is not good enough with his feet , as is now a requirement when playing out properly from the back. So too are mobile and speedy CB’s, which we do not have and that makes any keeper more under pressure than he needs be. Esp with a hopeless RB in Bellerin bizarrely preferred to a top one in Lichtsteiner. I firmly question Emerys sense on this decision.
Should Leno be the one whose first team issues worth being discussed or lacazette? like Phil said, Cech hasn’t done anything to deserve being dropped, aubameyang has
It’s becoming more annoying to see lacazette starting on the bench, especially when its evident that things are much more better while he’s on the pitch
Spot on bro…if emery wants to use a lone striker right now…there’s only one logical option based on performance… Lacazette…Aubameyang is farming too much nowadays…he should kiss the bench for now…#ruthless.
Can’t leave Auba on the bench, you’ve got to think long term and it’s important we get Auba back in the groove, the guy’s a goal machine. Cech’s not been bad this season between the sticks but with the ball at his feet, he’s atrocious, the defenders are sh**ing themselves every time he’s on the ball. Leno must start. Lichtstiener for Bellerin is a must, agree with Jon fox on that one, Laca should also start. This is Cardiff we’re playing not Liverpool.
Jay Leno won’t have to
wait long as he will play
in the Europa league
and the Carabao cup games.
You just don’t join a club and start displacing senior players at will or without proper justification. You can easily loose the dressing room.
– Unai has so far subbed or dropped key underperforming players, Cech has not been as bad as people make it out.
– Bellerin has be a serious threat going forward with assist after assist, its clear while we do not have proper wingers this is a strategy we want to implement, Lichtsteiner may be a better defender but his age might not allow him to go up and down for 90 with the same effect as Bellerin.
Its a long season and all these players will get a chance to show what they can do. Just my thoughts.
Cech hasn’t done much wrong and made some good saves. Bellerin, Mustafi and Sokratis aren’t the best defenders and a Gk needs a good defense no matter how good a gk is
Leno and Laca are on standby. Both of them should be playing but due or their team mates doing fine they must wait.
I wish we had such luxury when it comes to diff poz.
Which teammate of lacazette playing the same position is doing fine?
Nketiah?
Aubuma was very unlucky lately, thats all
Oh please…spare me…3 games and no.glimpses of sharpness to raise hopes of banging goals in the next games hence prompting one to want to keep faith with him…I don’t call that unlucky..besides Aubameyang doesn’t even charge the defenders enough…he doesn’t press well…has been lazy…lacazette is a better player..auba is just faster…lacazette should start.
Fickle as f. I will remember your nickname for sure and come back at you later.
Lol…you call being ruthless at a top team like arsenal fickle…oh…you need to go support west ham or Everton..expectations aren’t as high there…
PS:Aubameyang is quality no doubt, he will definitely come good sooner or later but he isn’t just getting it currently and slacking shouldn’t be tolerated at arsenal regardless of the player…let that sink fam…and cut that “coming back at me” BS…I never said Aubameyang was crap.