Arsenal legend David Seaman has urged Unai Emery to make a bold change for next week’s Europa League final.
The Gunners lock horns with Chelsea in Baku in hunt for a major trophy, while Emery’s side also have the added incentive of securing a spot in the Champions League next season.
A side note of the game is that it is Petr Cech’s last as a professional footballer, meaning he could wave goodbye in a showcase finale against the club where he made his name, but a significant twist occured this week.
Reports have stated that Cech is returning to Stamford Bridge to take a sporting director role at the club, which has raised questions about his allegiances ahead of the Europa League final.
With many fans urging Emery to select Bernd Leno for the clash, despite the fact that Cech has played every Europa League game so far this season, Seaman has now expressed a similar view.
“It was announced last night and I was thinking, who has let this out? If it’s Chelsea, is it mind games to make Arsenal think about whether to play him, or maybe have Arsenal leaked it because they might not even be playing him,” he told TalkSport.
“It’s a strange one. There was a poll last night and I think it was 60/40 wanted Leno to play. I know Cech has played all the games but in a final like that, especially against Chelsea, Arsenal have to win this game.
“For me, you play your strongest team. If that means Leno plays, that’s what I would do. I know Arsene Wenger did it with me, Richard Wright played all the FA Cup games and then played me in the final.”
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