Arsenal: Unai Emery’s capacity for change extends to Bernd Leno

Unai Emery has shown a capacity for change at Arsenal, and it’s worked, now it’s time to use the same philosophy regarding Bernd Leno.

Arsenal deserve our patience. There is no need to expect the world out of them right as Unai Emery is figuring stuff out for himself. 22 years with Arsene Wenger set the team up for a heavy acclimation period, much like we saw from Manchester United post-Fergie.

That said, there is still plenty of room for change. Look at Alexandre Lacazette, for instance. Emery was adamant that Lacazette would not start next to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he was adamant that they were going to stick to the plan.

But he still did the right thing and started the deadliest attacker they had – Lacazette. He didn’t let the experiment “play itself out.” He made a necessary change.

Which just goes to show that he has the capacity to make changes even as the experimentation is under way. And that capacity for chance has to extend to keeper, where Bernd Leno is sitting, patiently, waiting to show that fans don’t always have to piss themselves when the ball gets played back to the keeper.

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Petr Cech had a nightmare against Manchester City, nearly passing the ball back into his own net. He recovered briefly from there in the next two matches, avoiding any form of a nervous breakdown.

And then Cardiff City happened and he gave up two instances of complete befuddlement. Cech passed the ball straight to Harry Arter in the seventh minute, and it was by straight luck that Arter was unable to put the ball away for a goal.

It happened again later on, except further down the pitch so that it wasn’t as much of a danger.

I get not wanting to jump the gun. Really, I do. You give the guy a chance. But just like with Lacazette, you have a guy there that fits the philosophy better and is more geared towards being the answer for the longhaul.

Leno knows what he’s doing, he’s held down the role before at Bayer Leverkusen and he’s better with his feet than Cech. What else can you ask for? Stick to the plan, but make a necessary change. I’m sick of Cech giving me conniptions.

I admire the steadfastness of Emery, and I also admire his faith in his players. But I am only now beginning to admire his willingness to make necessary changes too. This is a necessary change.