Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history, Petr Cech’s time at the top is gradually coming to an end with the Manchester City team exploiting that. Unai Emery was asked about his first choice goalkeeper, and here’s what he said: “I am very happy with his performance, I think he has experience, quality, capacity like a first goalkeeper with us – and also Bernd Leno. Saturday the decision is easy, Petr Cech will continue to start the match, I believe in him.”
Petr Cech still has tremendous shot-stopping ability, but since Unai Emery plans on implementing a different style of play at Arsenal, they are required to play out from the back and Cech is very poor when it comes to distribution. Here’s a video displaying Cech’s lack of composure on the ball against Manchester City’s high pressing, and since Chelsea secured Maurizio Sarri this summer they will use the same tactic which is bad news for both Arsenal and Cech.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window has seen them buying a new goalkeeper from Bayer Leverkusen, Bernd Leno. Cech might be the better shot-stopper, but Leno is simply a better choice for Emery in his system.
The London Derby is just around the corner, with both teams having seen a change in the managerial position with Emery replacing the legendary Arsene Wenger after 20 years, and Maurizio Sarri replacing Antonio Conte, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in his stint with the club.
The Arsenal boss was criticised for his attempts to play from the back against Man City’s high-press style.
But asked on a timescale for when ‘the Unai Emery way’ will be embedded, he said: “You need more time to completely look how you want.”
He added: “The first game give us more information for things to improve.
“We need to continue in our way, to make this difference in the next match and in the future.
“For me it’s most important the players know positive things we did, and also the things we need to improve.”
Let’s see how this works for the club.
Meanwhile, here is the predicted Line-up for both teams:
Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Barkley, Pedro, Morata and Hazard.
Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Sokratis, Monreal, Torreira, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Ozil, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang.