Arsenal: I would be worried if Bernd Leno said anything different

Bernd Leno has stated that he wants to start the Europa League final against Chelsea. I would be worried if the Arsenal shot-stopper said anything different.

The great Arsenal selection debate in the lead up to Wednesday night’s Europa League final surrounds the goalkeeper position. Should Unai Emery continue with his ‘cup goalkeeper’, Petr Cech, who would play his former team in the final match of his career, or should he insert the number one, Bernd Leno?

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There are fair arguments on either side of the equation. From a ruthless, footballing perspective, Leno should be handed the starting gig. But sport and football is about more than just winning. There is a human element to selecting Cech that should not be nonchalantly brushed aside.

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For the players, however, I would hope that there is only one perspective to hold: to want to play. And this week, in an interview with German publication Kicker, Leno was asked about what his opinion is on the goalkeeping conundrum that faces his head coach. His answer was undoubtedly encouraging:

"“I have great respect for Petr, and we get along very well. He deserves all credit, and I treat him well, but it’s clear that I’m an athlete, I want to always play, especially in a final. To win the Europa League would be the first big title for me. We all want to hear the [Champions League] anthem again. The Thursday-Sunday rhythm is also not so good because you always suffer in the league. If we lose the final, our season, which was actually good, would be disappointing.”"

It would be troubling if Leno said anything else to being asked whether he wants to play in any match, nevermind a Europa League final. Every competitive player should want to play in every match. It is then up to the manager to manage game time throughout a season. But the player should want to play.

That is the sign of a winner, someone who relishes competition, pressure and the opportunity of achieving greatness, not shying away from it instead. For all of Alexis Sanchez’s selfish faults, his insatiable desire to play every match is what made him such a ruthless player on the pitch. He was desperate every time he took to the pitch.

Leno should possess that same trait. He can obviously still hold great respect for Cech, his teammate and one of the most likeable and experienced individuals in the sport. But that does not mean that he should not want to compete for the starting spot. And I am sure that Cech expects nothing less. He is a professional of 20 years, after all. This is nothing new.

In the end, the decision is Emery’s. All Leno and Cech can do is try to convince him that they are the superior option. I would be extremely worried if they were doing — or saying — anything different.