Arsenal: Petr Cech vs Bernd Leno a question of image

Arsenal need to make a decision regarding who will start in goal against Chelsea, and it’s not an easy one to make. What this all comes down to is image.

The talk of the town, other than UEFA completely muffing up where to hold the Europa League final, is who Arsenal should start in goal in said final. It’s a nice problem to have, of course, being able to choose between two, but the question isn’t answered by a simple “who is better?”

It could be. And a lot of fans are urging that it should be. But what fans are really upset about is Petr Cech already announcing that he will be the next sporting director at Chelsea, when he has to face them in less than a week.

I get it. That kind of sucks. But it shouldn’t raise any questions as to how hard Cech will play. Just like Olivier Giroud‘s presumed presence shouldn’t raise any questions about how hard he should play.

What this really comes down to is how the team wants to look. Specifically, how Unai Emery wants to look.

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We know he is a ruthless manager. He has proven that all year, taking hard-lined approaches to who starts in what game based on ability alone. Just ask Mesut Ozil. Emery does not do favors, we should all know that by now.

But it’s not that simple. We all know that Leno is better than Cech. For some, the argument stops there. Emery should start Leno. We want our best players out there, no questions asked, especially with so much on the line.

For others, there’s more to it than that. This is Cech’s career. He has lead us to the Europa League final and done a fine job in doing so. He has spoke openly about his desire to retire with a trophy in his hands. To outright deny him that would certainly be a slap to the face, even if there aren’t like to be any repercussions.

It all comes down to how the club wants to look. It would look kinda bad to start Leno, depending on who you ask. But it’s also all about the game. If this were a meaningless match, then give Cech his send-off. Starting him solely to honor his career though, when we have so much to gain in this match?

It’s not as easy to wrap my head around. If it were up to me, I’m starting Leno.