Arsenal: Bernd Leno has to be in charge of himself at this point

Arsenal have a change of the guard at keeper, and while it was certainly unplanned, it has to be the way it is, with Bernd Leno in charge now.

Many Arsenal fans were fully expecting Bernd Leno to take charge in goal, and for good cause. He didn’t come cheap and he came on the heels of arguably Petr Cech‘s worst season ever. Not a situation that could really be misconstrued.

Only it was massively misconstrued, because Unai Emery gave Petr Cech the benefit of the doubt and handed him the starting role. The rest is history. Cech had his issues, unable to control the ball at his feet, making nervy moments in nearly every match.

And while many of us called for Bernd Leno, that call was never answered. Not until now, with Cech being ruled out for a couple of weeks. Giving Leno the chance he’s been dying for, and… maybe more?

Cech earned his stay against Everton with his man of the match performance, but now that Leno is in the starting spot, you really have to give him charge of his own fate. So long as he is fit, firing and reliable, even when Cech comes back, you really can’t take him out of that starting job.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

It’s a matter of fairness and keeping everyone happy, but it also dates back to the fact that Leno really should be starting anyway.

Leno was called into action early against Watford and made an incredible save to deny Troy Deeney the opening goal and, aside from one clumsy spill with Mustafi, had himself a really solid debut in the Premier League, with his full debut coming next week against Fulham (with the Europa League in between).

If Leno plays his heart out and proves himself up to the task, I don’t see how Emery can justify removing him in favor of Cech. It’s not going to be an easy decision for him, that much is certain. Leno is a competitor, he’s the future, and he wants the starting job. He hasn’t been given a chance to earn it, but now that he has, if he does earn it, I can’t see a way that you justify taking it away from him.

After all, if he is the future, and if he proves capable of holding down the fort, then don’t you give it to him until he fails in some regard? Leave the man in control of his own destiny. You kind of have to.