Goalkeeper
This has been the hot-button issue since word broke that former Chelsea star Petr Cech is expected to take a position with his old club’s management at the conclusion of the season.
Cech has been the keeper tabbed to start the Europa matches for Arsenal all competition long, while Bernd Leno was slotted as the number one for the Premier League fixtures.
Manager Unai Emery’s quandary is this; does he remain loyal to the keeper that got the team to the final that may not be fully invested in winning or does he make the tactical decision to go with his ace keeper?
In a match of this magnitude, Emery has to make the right decision and put Leno in-goal.
Not because Cech has ulterior motives. Cech has shown that he is a professional and would give 100 percent. It has also been proven that with Cech in the lineup, the Gunners have a good chance to win.
But with so much on the line, Emery MUST use his best option, and that’s Leno.
What must Leno do to win? He can not give up the early goal.
Looking back on the first meeting, Cech was in-goal and gave up a goal to Pedro in the ninth minute. Arsenal cannot try to play from behind for 80 minutes this time around.
Only twice in the 18 EL finals to take place since 2000 have the team that conceded the first goal gone on to win.
Leno must make sure Chelsea does not strike first. History will not be on Arsenal’s side if they do.