David de Gea to start over Dean Henderson at Manchester United and Arsenal’s Bernd Leno in for Emiliano Martinez – Goalkeeper dilemmas answered
Paul Robinson has run the rule over the goalkeeping dilemmas at Manchester United and Arsenal ahead of the start of the new Premier League season.
David de Gea and Dean Henderson will battle it out for the starting spot at Old Trafford, while Gunners shot-stopper Bernd Leno is facing increasing pressure from Aston Villa target Emiliano Martinez.
De Gea has made seven errors leading to goals in the Premier League over the past two seasons as Henderson starred on loan at Sheffield United.
Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Robinson believes the Spain international must start the season as United’s No.1 amid fears he could leave.
“They’re two top goalkeepers," said Robinson on Friday's Jim White show. "De Gea starts the season because, from a manager’s point of view, if you don’t start the season with him, you lose him.
“He’s going to want to leave and play elsewhere.
“For Henderson, I think he’s a top goalkeeper, but playing at Manchester United is very different to playing at Sheffield United.
“It’s going to be an interesting battle because he’s certainly good enough to do it.”
Meanwhile, Martinez has made a case to be Arsenal’s first-choice glovesman after brilliantly filling in for the injured Leno in the latter stages of last season.
But he wants regular first-team football and is being heavily linked with a £20million transfer to Aston Villa.
The Gunners are believed to be lining up a move for Brentford’s David Raya if Martinez leaves.
But despite Martinez's transfer ultimatum, Robinson insists Leno should be first in the pecking order at the Emirates.
He said: “No.1 at Arsenal? Leno. I think Leno was outstanding last season.
“Him and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang were the players of the season [for Arsenal].
“Aubameyang, by a long way, but Leno was key to a lot of the results they got last year. He was very good.”
