Arsenal 2-1 West Ham: 3 Things We Learned From Unconvincing Display

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Bernd Leno of Arsenal catches the ball above Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on September 19, 2020, in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images).

Bernd Leno Reservations

I previously wrote a piece explaining why I would have preferred for Emiliano Martínez, who recently completed a permanent transfer to Aston Villa, to have started the 2020/21 season as Arteta’s number one.

Part of my rationale was the comfort that I had developed with Martínez between the sticks. Statistics from FBREF confirm that the Argentine was more capable in possession and more authoritative – because of his taller frame – with the ball in the air.

Martínez made me feel a lot safer then Leno, especially with the ball in the air, but there's nothing we can do about it now and (because of wages) I doubt we'd have been able to get as much for Leno.

Now we have to use that money to improve midfield.
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) September 19, 2020

Although Bernd Leno dropping the ball after his scary fall was understandable, he failed to claim any aerial balls during the game. Arsenal desperately needed respite in the second half and the German was unable to provide. While there is comfort in his elite shot-stopping ability – which will doubtless earn many points moving forward – and fans can understand why Martínez was sold, Arsenal arguably parted with the superior goalkeeper.