Arsenal: Well, Bernd Leno, this is what you wanted

Bernd Leno has been patiently waiting for his chance to start for Arsenal in goal. With Petr Cech hobbling off in Saturday’s win over Watford, he now has what he’s been waiting for.

When Arsenal signed Bernd Leno for £19 million, it was largely expected that he would assume the starting role. A 36-year-old Petr Cech was coming off the worst season of his career and was seen as a weakness of the team, both in the immediate and long-term, and there was a sense of urgency to find a replacement.

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Leno, in many people’s eyes, was that replacement. He is a modern goalkeeper, built in the mould of a shot-stopper as adept with his feet as he is with his hands, and he was seen as the ideal base on which Unai Emery’s set-up could be grounded.

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But when the season started, it was clear that Emery believed that Cech, and not Leno, was his better option. Whether he was right in that belief didn’t really matter. It was his belief, and Leno’s starting opportunities were restricted as a result of it. The German has only started two games all season, a Europa League match against FC Vorskla and a third-round EFL Cup match against Brentford, hardly the most meaningful of matches.

However, in the 43rd minute of the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday afternoon, Cech pulled his hamstring when taking a goal kick, immediately slumping to the ground and clutching the back of his leg left. This was Leno’s chance, what he has been waiting for all summer and all season.

In the second half, Leno showed why many were so eager to see him start from the first weekend of the campaign. He was immediately far more comfortable with his feet than Cech was, even if Cech has improved in that facet in recent performances, and he made a series of excellent saves, including a lovely, stretched tip around the far post from a Troy Deeney volley.

He also looked commanding from crosses and set pieces, punching clear from a string of dangerous Watford deliveries. There was one moment where he came careering out to the penalty spot to try and collect a loose, high ball but came nowhere near, but, for the most part, he was as good with his hands as he was his feet.

Cech could now be absent for a few weeks, according to Emery. This is the chance that Leno has been waiting for to start a string of league matches in succession, perform at his highest level, and try to convince Emery that he is the better starting option between the sticks.

Injuries often make selection decisions for managers. They also often instigate the development and progression of young players. And this is a prime example. Leno has been waiting for this chance. Now he has to take it.