Unai Emery is yet to decide who Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper is but it should become clear in the coming weeks whether Petr Cech or Bernd Leno is the No1.
Cech will return to the team tonight when Arsenal host Blackpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
The 36-year-old, who started the season as Emery’s first choice, has not featured since the end of September because of injury and his selection could be a sign that he will now be the goalkeeper for cup competitions.
Leno has impressed since replacing Cech and he looks set to keep his place for Saturday’s game against Liverpool in the Premier League.
The £19.2million summer signing has shown he can play out from the back — a key component of Arsenal’s new style — and he has formed a good partnership with his defenders.
Cech returned to the bench for Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace after Emery decided to stick with Leno. That faith in Leno could be telling and, while the German has received no assurances from Emery, he should soon be clearer about his status in the team.
Emery said: “In each moment for each match, we are going to give the goalkeepers the opportunity to help us. We are looking for the confidence in each goalkeeper. But Petr Cech will start the Blackpool match after coming back from his injury.”
Emery will name a much-changed side for the visit of Blackpool, continuing his policy is playing a mix of first-team players and youngsters in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal will be without Hector Bellerin because of the thigh injury he suffered against Palace. Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac could return after hamstring injuries but, if neither are deemed fit enough, Granit Xhaka will continue at left-back.
Emery added: “We are looking for a good performance from the team and also to give the players the chances to help us with their performances.
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“We will choose 18 players for the Blackpool match, the young players also. We are going to have a mix in order to get the best performance against Blackpool, to respect them. For us, the Carabao Cup is very important. It is an opportunity to win a trophy.”
