The 36 year old started against Manchester City last weekend
Unai Emery was appointed as Arsenal’s new manager back in May after Arsene Wenger decided to leave the club after 22 years at the end of the season. He signed a three-year deal worth £15 million.
The Spaniard was given the charge with the task of returning the club to the European elite while challenging for other major honours. He completed the signing of Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen as one of the 5 signings during the transfer window.
It was expected that the German International will be Gunners first choice goalkeeper this season. But surprisingly Petr Cech was given the nod ahead of him in the opener against Manchester City.
However, they lost the match 2-0 and the Czech Republic International was also criticized for his performance as he struggled to play it from the back.
But Emery has backed the 36 year old since then and even revealed he will keep his spot against Chelsea this weekend.
Arsenal great Jens Lehmann has also backed the former Blues star and revealed why he is getting the nod ahead of the new signing Leno.
“Petr is still a fantastic goalkeeper and he has had to change his style, but sometimes the game tells you what to do and not the other way round,” Lehmann told Sky Sport as quoted by Goal.
”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. He is very intelligent so he knows himself 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 [to play it short] this year.
“But 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 about the amount of passes you have to do.
“So, sometimes it is better to not to do what the coaches ask because at that moment you understand the game better than anybody else.”
“Bernd is a good ‘keeper, no doubt about that,” he added. “The question is: can he show more than he did in the past? He must take more risks to continue his development. If he does that, good!”
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