Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech was once again at fault for a number of poor passes out from the back against Cardiff yesterday. In one incident, the keeper gave the ball directly to midfielder Harry Arter who blazed over when it was still 0-0.
The 36-year-old is clearly uncomfortable playing out from the back despite manager’s Unai Emery’s insistence on continuing with the approach.
The Gunners boss has said that the veteran keeper is learning and that he will persist with his passing philosophy despite the number of chances it is yielding to the opposition. He told the Daily Telegraph:
“For me, he is making progress. He has experience, he is intelligent and he is doing what we want him to do. He is working very hard on the training pitch.”
“I want him to continue to do this and to keep improving, it is important. If you play every time, long balls, you lose possession and you lose momentum. I don’t want to be like that.”
It is a surprise that Emery has kept faith with Cech at the start of the season despite the club bringing in Bernd Leno for £22.5million from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Supporters on Twitter believe that the German should now be given his chance in goal by the manager following the current number one’s latest performance at the weekend:
#AFC | Cech giving us mini heart attacks 30sec into the game ?
— Chris Davison (@cdavison_afc) 2 September 2018
What on earth has happened to Petr Cech, he seems to have lost the ability to kick the ball!!! #motd #motd2 #afc #epl #petrcech #Cech #CFCvAFC
— #SuperRecruiter (@WillONeillPR) 2 September 2018
Really agree. He might be a leader, but he doesn’t seem confident in our new style of playing it out from the back. Let’s try Leno, he must be very motivated to get some clean sheets under his belt!!
— David Poulsen (@DavidP96) 2 September 2018
I also believe it's about time to let Leno shine, this is way too much.
— Řogüe Nyigga Chris ™ (@mokhothu_chris) 2 September 2018
Also not being negative ! I love my club and if the manager wants to stick with cech that’s fine … but in my eyes if @LTorreira34 and @Bernd_Leno in goal I think we will see a different @Arsenal … but the team morale seems amazing which is great to see #Arsenal #PL #AFC
— #PureSuraj (@PureSuraj20) 2 September 2018
Two changes should be obvious after 4 games played: Leno in for Cech and Torreira in for Xhaka. The rest will develop as we give it time. #AFC #Arsenal
— Floster. (@_tu_Brute_) 3 September 2018
I have just watched the Arsenal game again. Defensively we looked very shakey and Cech looked all over the place and I think it's time for Leno to come in. Looked very good coming forward! We need to start Torreria at Newcastle!
Back To Back Wins!
— Ben Holding (@BenHolding01) 2 September 2018
Watching Petr Cech trying to play from the back like… #Arsenal #AFC pic.twitter.com/sj28Wekiri
— The Trash Man Cometh (@EdHasTweets) 2 September 2018