Who should be our Number 1 next season?

Sicario

The competition for the number one spot hasn’t been this closely contested since the days of Seaman and Manninger.

If you think about it, it’s actually quite a similar story. In 1998, David ‘safe hands’ Seaman got injured around Feb time when we were already like 10 points behind Man Utd. In a came a young Austrian not many of us had to ever heard of. The rest is history but very similar trajectory with Martinez this year albeit I appreciate the latter has been at the club longer than our former number 13.

The Martinez story is a ten year in the making over night success story. I feel for Leno. Imagine not only seeing some ‘kid’ come in and perform miracles, get all the praise but also end up with a medal in his trophy cabinet. But that’s football and that’s life.

When we look back, Leno getting injured v Brighton may prove to be an iconic moment for the club. A potential Arsenal hero in Guendouzi is never seen again and another ‘up and coming’ player in Martinez has the best 3 months of his career and goes down in Arsenal folklore history by winning the cup and crying on national tv.

Anyway, I digress. Two questions.

1) Who would you have as our number 1 next season? Leno or Martinez?
2) Can we actually keep both? Will Martinez be happy to ‘just’ be the Europa League keeper again?

Claudius

We have two fantastic goalies.
Chelsea and United are in the market. Should we for once proactively create a market. These are stupid and desperate teams that will pay £80m for Maguire and a Kepa that doesn’t keep

I’d be inclined to go with Martínez. He’s grown with the winning combination

Clrnc

Leno was outstanding for 1.5 seasons since joining us, let's not forget that.

But Martinez have Leno's reflexes, 1v1 prowess, shot stopping ability plus superior command of the box and superior feet.

It's really really tough and unfair for Leno, but I would go for Martinez.

Not sure if a club like us can afford to have 2 world class keepers though, certainly tough to keep both happy.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Martinez, it's only fair/logical.

Love both, though. They'll duke it out.

Claudius

I’d rather have to have to make the hard decision of what to do with Leno and Martínez than what to do with our motley crew of central defenders.

Klaus

I'd go with Leno. Think he has higher peaks and has shown very rare elite consistency across entire seasons. Have to say I don't think Martinez was particularly good yesterday, but that's beside the point, he's been good since he came in. The fact that the goalkeeping that is making everyone rave about him is what Leno puts in seven days a week, every week of the season, can't be overlooked though.

est

It's a difficult position for the manager to be in. But like Claude said, it's better to have to choose between two good players than not have any good options.

Right now, personally I'd say it's Emi's position to lose. Leno has to win back his place in training and cup games.

Edit:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYHZltnK9E/

Damn, Leno looks miniature next to these guys.

Nice for Hein to be part of the cup final (celebrations) too. 8)

QuincyAbeyie

If this is Emi's level I'd choose him, but I wouldn't sell Leno in the summer when it could also just be a case of him playing out of his skin.

Mirth

Yeah, there was a 2 month period when Mannone was our best keeper. Is Martinez showing us his good form or his talent? Keep both

AAStyle

Ideally, we should keep both for next season. Let them compete and keep the bar high. Also, we shall remember that we have seen this purple patch in other players before (I remember Coquelin v. Manchester City).

Problem is that we could obtain good money for Leno if as said a club like Chelsea puts its eyes on him.

Klaus

There is no way in hell I would sell either Leno or Martinez to Chelsea no matter what they offered. They would improve their team instantly. We can't go around selling good players to direct opponents if we want to be a serious club.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Haha, Mannone made insane saves during that run but his basics were still abysmal. Positioning, catching etc.

Martinez has shown a complete game.

Leno's highs are arguably higher though.

People actually taking any Chelsea links serious FFS?

Clrnc

Mannone was terrible. A great show of shot stopping at Fulham and that's it. Total lack of basics.

Pepe LeFrits

When is Leno due back?

Claudius

Pepe LeFrits wrote:
When is Leno due back?

Started running 2 weeks back and training last week. Not sure when he’s ready to play but should be close

AAStyle

Klaus wrote:
There is no way in hell I would sell either Leno or Martinez to Chelsea no matter what they offered. They would improve their team instantly. We can't go around selling good players to direct opponents if we want to be a serious club.

Yes I understand. But our transfer funds are not the highest and for example if an offer in the region of 35M comes for Leno then I think that the club should evaluate that.

Anyway, there are too muchs ifs in my position. Most probable scenario is that we keep both of them for next season and that will give us one position less to worry about.

tazmania

Head: Leno
Heart: Emi

We can't forget that Leno was our best player this season. Eni is arsenal thru and thru, let's not sell him

Irishgunner

Martinez has won the position, it's his to lose now and Leno will have to try and win it back through cups and any opportunities that present themselves (injuries, suspensions, form). Emi has shown himself to be as good of a shotstopper while also being better on the ball and more aerially dominant, the real question is whether he has the consistency to maintain this form.

Martinez to start as number 1, sell the definitive number 2 next summer - we can't afford to keep both.

If a big offer comes in for either of them this summer then accept it and use the funds on positions where we lack quality.

Meatwad

martinez's situation reminds me of how allison was actually chesney's backup at roma and then when he left for juve allison became one of the best keepers in the world in that one season and the rest is history.

Clrnc

Some of Martinez goalkicks are ridiculous. Almost Alisson like, pinged straight to his target.

I kept laughing when I see Caballero's kicks. Day and night