Arsenal news: Unai Emery explains Bernd Leno decision for Europa League clash

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal news: Unai Emery explains Bernd Leno decision for Europa League clash
Arsenal news: Leno will start in goal on Thursday (Image: GETTY)

BERND LENO will finally make his debut in goal for Arsenal tonight, having been told by manager Unai Emery that Petr Cech's permanent place is up for grabs.

When the new Gunners boss made the 26-year-old Germany international one of his first signings when he paid Bayer Leverkusen £22.5m, it was expected Leno would be made the automatic choice at the Emirates.

As it is, veteran goalkeeper Cech has maintained his place despite a mixed start to the season and Leno has had to wait until cup football in the shape of the opening Europa League group game against Ukraine's Vorskla Poltava to get his chance to play.

But having been given time to settle in to his new environment in England, Emery is adamant that a Premier League start should be very much in his sights.

"He is in the starting line-up after we have spoken with Javi Garcia, the goalkeeping coach," Emery confirmed. "We need with Leno to give him a chance and the minutes of the game.

"We signed him for now to improve with us and to compete with another goalkeeper. I am very happy with his every work day and I am looking forward to him playing well.

"I spoke with him before the first match about my decision. I give him also my arguments for the decision.

"Petr's performance is good performance. He also plays because he is doing very well.

"But now Leno is going to play and each match we are going to look at each performance and each preparation to continue playing.

"We are not going to give him or Petr, or Emiliano Martinez one competition to play. He is going to start tomorrow to give him the minutes and the chances in this competition, but we are going to continue looking and testing every match."

Emery will use the game to blood some of his fringe players but is keen to do well in the Europa League to mend a hole in Arsenal's history under Arsene Wenger.

"Every title for us is very important," Emery said.

"In 2000, Arsenal played the final against Galatasaray but didn't win. And also, Arsenal played the final in 2006 in the Champions League and also didn't win.

"In my career, the ambition is very important for continuing to improve and continuing to achieve the objectives in my career personally and with the team. I want to play for every title going forward."

The truth is, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all starting the season so ominously, winning the Europa League may be the easiest route back into the big time – not least because Emery knows exactly how to do it having won three titles back-to-back with Sevilla.

And the way the Champions League exploded back onto our screens last night, goodness knows that is where Arsenal need to be, rather than playing Ukranian unknowns Vorskla Poltava.

Stephan Lichtsteiner admitted: "To come back to the glamour games you need to win first the other games.

"I am hungry to get back to the Champions League. It is a long way. But we want to try as I am sure we want to play Champions League next year."

ARSENAL (probable; 4-2-3-1): Leno; Lichtsteiner, Holding, Mustafi, Monreal; Elneny, Guendouzi; Mkhitaryan, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi; Welbeck.

VORSKIA (probable; 4-2-3-1): Shust; Perduta, Dallku, Chesnakov, Artur; Sharpar, Sklyar; Kobakhidze, Kulach, Rebenok; Careca.

REFEREE: Bart Vertenten (BEL).