Unai Emery explains Petr Cech selection ahead of Bernd Leno

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has indicated that Petr Cech remain the Gunners’ first-choice goalkeeper despite the arrival of Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer. Before the season begun, many predicted that Leno would start between the sticks for the new league campaign but they have been dumbfounded with Emery going with the experience of Cech.

Speaking to reporters, Emery said that Leno had been recruited to add competition for places and the German will have to wait for the opportunity to make his Gunners debut, he said: “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.”

Emery gave the interview shortly after the season opener versus Manchester City and since then,
Cech has managed to keep the trust of the manager by making the most saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper this term. As such, the 36-year-old appears set to keep the number one role for the campaign and Leno may have to do with the Cup competitions or wait for a potential injury or blunder from the former Chelsea man.

Arsenal opened their points tally during the recent meeting versus West Ham United where they picked up a 3-1 victory and they now have the chance of securing back-to-back wins when they make the trip to Cardiff City. Neil Warnock’s side are yet to find the scoresheet since their promotion from the Championship and based on this, the Gunners can expect a secure a comfortable triumph before heading into the international break.