Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (24/04/21 at 12:55 pm) that there is ‘nothing between’ Arsenal’s goalkeeping duo Bernd Leno and Mat Ryan.
On Friday, Leno produced another moment to forget in between the sticks as Arsenal recorded a seventh home loss of the season in the backdrop of protests from supporters outside of the stadium.
Arsenal have already scored an own goal during this past week with their involvement in the European Super League, well Leno joined that party as he managed to nutmeg himself following a tame cross from Richarlison.
Merson pin-pointed the concentration levels of goalkeepers and how that can separate the very best from the rest.
“Whatever happens, he’s the goalkeeper,” said Merson. “They are all brilliant shot-stoppers.
“But the difference between the ones up here and the ones down there is the concentration levels. It’s just pure concentration. He would pick them up in his sleep. That’s why the best of the best, they don’t do that.
On how much better he is than Mat Ryan: “There’s nothing between them. There’s absolutely nothing between them.”
Ryan has started two Premier League games for Arsenal since his switch from Brighton in January and it will be interesting to see if Mikel Arteta switches it up on Thursday.
This is it for Arsenal, another game-changing week has arrived and if they slip up against their old boss then Arteta may not last long.
Many are questioning Arsenal’s process, and with the Gunners heading for a mid-table finish, then that process will be put through a blender and thrown away if they are knocked out by Unai Emery.
Arteta can answer his critics over these two legs because if he can see past his predecessor then it will win him some much-needed brownie points.
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