Arsenal legend David Seaman believes summer signing Bernd Leno needs to remain patient after failing to make a single appearance for the Gunners to date. The German goalkeeper was widely expected to become the club’s first-choice between the sticks but so far, this has not happened with veteran shot-stopper Petr Cech earning the trust of manager Unai Emery.
In a report covered by The Express, Seaman urged Leno to remain patient for a starting opportunity and believes Cech has not done much wrong to drop to the bench, he said: “Just because he [Leno] cost a lot of money does not mean he goes straight into the team. He has to be patient," Seaman explained after Arsenal legends’ match last weekend. Petr Cech has done nothing wrong in goal.
“Okay, so he is adjusting to playing with the ball from the box. But he has been able to contribute to the team and has done nothing to cause him to be left out.This could be a learning curve for him. You have to be patient in football, I know. I had to be in the past when I was playing. Leno has to bide his time.”
“Despite Seaman’s comments, a section of the Arsenal supporters may not agree with Emery’s decision“ to start Cech in goal with the 36-year-old being guilty of making loose passes which may have “quite easily cost the “team on any other day. Nonetheless, Cech continues to command the number one role for the moment and Leno’s debut may come during the Europa League opener against Vorskla this month.
Thereafter, the Gunners are scheduled to have another European encounter with a League Cup tie before that and those are the games where Leno may need to perform to gain the trust of Emery. Aside from Leno, the likes of Lucas Torreira and Stephan Lichtsteiner are yet to make a start for Arsenal since their summer arrivals.