"Each goalkeeper has different qualities but they cannot change our style."
Thursday 20 September 2018 08:27, UK
Unai Emery confirmed Bernd Leno will start ahead of Petr Cech for Arsenal's Europa League opener, saying the club need to "improve both goalkeepers in our style".
Leno, 26, was one of Emery's first signings after arriving this summer, bringing the goalkeeper in for a reported £19m.
Cech has started all five of Arsenal's Premier League games so far, but admitted he is playing for his future with less than a year remaining on his current contract at the club.
He came in for criticism for wayward passes when Arsenal began the season with back-to-back defeats under Emery, who prefers his sides to play out from the back.
But the four-time Premier League winner told Sky Sports he is used to having to adapt to new football philosophies.
Emery says the goalkeeping position is "for work".
"Bernd Leno is going to play on Thursday," Emery said ahead of Arsenal's Europa League Group E opener against Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava. "We need to give him the chances, 90 minutes.
"Each goalkeeper has different qualities. But they cannot change our style. Maybe one quality is better Leno than Petr, maybe one Petr than Leno. We need the same style and to work to improve each goalkeeper in our style."
Emery said he explained his decision to keep Cech as Arsenal's No 1 from the "first day" and maintained he is "very happy" with Leno.
"He's here because he showed us his quality," the Arsenal boss said. "The quality for the goalkeeper for me, is being complete. He has it.
"He can go a long way here at Arsenal. He's young."
But Emery would not label Leno his 'cup goalkeeper' and said he will not assign either of his options to a particular competition.
"We are going to continue looking and testing every match," said Emery, whose side return to Premier League action against Everton on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
"On Thursday we play Leno but each match we are going to look at each performance and prepare for playing."
