Petr Cech’s retirement and David Ospina’s imminent departure has created a void for a new goalkeeper but Bernd Leno seems to have other ideas.
Leno made the switch from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for £19 million but he wasn’t directly given the number one role. The 27-year-old sat on the bench for the first six games before an injury to Petr Cech opened the door for him in the Premier League.
The German has since gone from strength to strength in goal and is now the club’s undisputed first choice. Arsenal have used different goalkeepers in the league and in Europe in the last two seasons and the potential addition of a new goalkeeper could maintain the same routine.
Arsenal’s limited transfer budget could hamper their chances of a new face which opens the door for Emiliano Martinez to be Leno’s deputy. The second-choice is expected to feature in the domestic cup competitions but Leno has something else on his mind according to the report.
The former Leverkusen man has reportedly expressed his desire to start every single game in every competition next season. This would mean that Leno could potentially play over 60 games for the Gunners throughout the year and this would be a huge risk.
Playing every game, week in week out, with the massive pressure of Arsenal fans is no easy task and it could lead to severe physical fatigue. If Unai Emery decides to agree with the German, Martinez’s future at Arsenal will be all but over and the Argentine could well decide to leave the club.
Emery has a big decision on his hands considering his transfer budget and Leno’s wishes but having Leno stay number one in the Premier League and in Europe with Martinez handling the domestic cup responsibilities seems to be the logical thing to do.
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