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Premier League | Gameweek 1
Aug 12, 2018 at 4pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Sterling (14'), Silva (64')

Unai Emery defends decision to start Petr Cech

Arsenal manager Unai Emery defends his decision to start Petr Cech ahead of summer signing Bernd Leno for his side's season-opening defeat to champions Manchester City.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has defended his decision to select Petr Cech ahead of summer signing Bernd Leno for Sunday's season-opening defeat to Manchester City.

Cech endured a mixed performance against the champions, making a fine double-save to deny Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte before thwarting Sergio Aguero when one on one, but also failing to get close to Raheem Sterling's opener and looking unconvincing when trying to play out from the back.

Leno had widely been expected to be Arsenal's first-choice keeper this season following his £22m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, but Emery was pleased with what he saw from veteran Cech.

"We want competence with the goalkeeper and the other players in the squad. The pre-season offered the same chances for all the goalkeepers," he told reporters.

"Petr Cech had a very good pre-season. Today I think he played well also and he has this experience to defend our goal.

"Leno is starting with us, working very well and also played well in pre-season. But he can wait and arrive in his moment."

Cech made more mistakes leading directly to goals than any other player in the Premier League last season.

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Mesut Ozil cops a feel during the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester City on August 12, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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