One of the debates of the week remains, ‘who should start for Arsenal – Petr Cech or Bernd Leno?.’
First opinion about Cech this season is that he looks different. Different not only physically but also the way he is performing straight from preseason to that exceptional performance against Manchester City in the opening weekend.
Both the goals that went past him were well directed where he just didn’t had a chance to get to it. But, is he the right man to stand there between the woodworks for Arsenal? – If you look at £22million that Arsenal have spent on getting German giant Bernd Leno, your answer probably will stand as ‘NO’.
But it’s more than the money; you cannot hide the fact that Petr Cech delivered the ball almost identically every time he got hold of it. It went to either of centre backs who were waiting on the outside. That even led to one of horrendous moment where he almost kicked the ball into his own net. To be honest Petr Cech is smarter than that.
He has played hundreds of game at the highest level across the globe with club as well as country and has dealt with pressure beyond what he is facing right now at Arsenal. With that experience and that frame you cannot get into a conclusion about ‘How did he played as he did?’.
As I explained earlier, the ball was played in same way despite Mustafi as well as Sokratis marked well by opponents and Cech having a opening centrally. Yes, playing the ball wide may be part of the plan but you don’t always need to stick to the plan as it may turn into something dumb, as it did last weekend.
Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann believes the same as he quoted his ‘surprise’ over the way Cech delivered the ball.
“I was a bit surprised that every time he tried to play out, which is not possible, nobody can dictate to you when to play out,” Jens Lehmann told to The Debate on Sky Sports.
“He is very intelligent so he knows when to play out and when not to.
” Petr has played hundreds of games and I think sometimes he would have kicked it long before, now he is under pressure this year. The game dictates what to do and not a certain style you have to play.
” Even at the age of 36 you can practice and improve, but it’s the amount of passes you have to do.
“Also, sometimes it is better to not to do what the coaches ask because at that moment you understand the game better than anybody else.”
Considering the coolness over the ball under pressure, Bernd Leno is someone who has mastered this technique as most German keepers in today’s time. He may just beat Cech to first choice for later on in the season if this continues with Petr.
Though, somehow Cech has managed to up his performances and it just seems like he would continue between the woodwork for considerable amount of time this season.
