Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno did not have the best of games against Liverpool last night. The German did not get a strong enough hand on Mo Salah’s shot that led to Sadio Mane putting in the rebound.
Later in the game, he didn’t look particularly confident from corners either, and it has led to some fans on Twitter questioning why the 28-year-old was kept ahead of Emi Martinez.
We made a mistake selling Emi. Admit it. He is clear of Leno. Catches more, more commanding, better passer. Leno always puts us under pressure and has terrible passes when we play out the back. Numerous times yesterday Leno had terrible short passes
— Dani (@ddog195) September 29, 2020
The guy made top reflex saves.
— Vusumuzi Makubalo (@VusaMakubalo) September 29, 2020
I still think Martinez should have been our number 1.
— ??????? (@FPL_AFC) September 29, 2020
He great as a shot stopper but he so bad with his feet. Doesn’t think about where to pass it and just passes to the closest player and he never goes for a long throughball. Martinez was better in the air and with his feet and just as good as a shot stopper
— theAEW (@theAEW2) September 29, 2020
Its horrible. Cut him some slack.
— AS (@Reverseball14) September 29, 2020
He spilled the ball in the villa game, lucky it got ruled out
— PARTEYHIVE ? (@kebabsinacStan) September 29, 2020
People chose to ignore the fact that Martinez got away with an absolute howler yesterday turned by VAR. yes he’s a very good goalkeeper but so is Leno, both will make mistakes
— datguycizz (@ciaren_ryan) September 29, 2020
It wasn't one of Leno's best games, lets be honest about that. The weak palm to Mane (first goal) happens to anyone but his distribution is always dodgy.
— gareth piggott (@gareth227) September 29, 2020
Leno’s performances will certainly come under greater scrutiny now Martinez has been sold. It is fair enough to ask whether Arsenal made the right decision to sell the Argentinian international but it shouldn’t be used as a way to criticise the club’s current number one.
It must be said that Leno didn’t do a lot wrong at Anfield and there were certainly other players who were more at fault for the goals that were conceded.
The sale of Martinez was very much down to the player wanting first-team football and Arteta made a very difficult decision in picking between two excellent keepers.