Arsenal goalkeeper Deyan Iliev has recently signed contract extension for another year at Emirates. Iliev, now one of the longest-serving players at Arsenal, is yet to make a debut for the first team since joining back in 2012.[spacer height=”30px”]
During his time as a Gunner, he has seen severe lows, as he was sidelined due to a serious knee injury and endured four operations in the span of two years. Deyan has however came back and since then has been showing notable signs of improvement and now seems fit for challenging those are ahead him.[spacer height=”30px”]
The 23 years old, who joined the Gunners’ side 6 years ago, played eight times for the Under-23s last season, and also made the bench for the first-team squad for the Carabao Cup win over Norwich in October.[spacer height=”30px”]
Congratulations, Deyan 🔴https://t.co/S098yNTB0B
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 20, 2018
[spacer height=”30px”]Iliev faces huge competition ahead of him, given the number of options Emery has lined up, including the 26 years old new signing of Bernd Leno who has been starting between the sticks since the young age of 19 and had more than 30 league starts in his debut year for Bayer Leverkusen.[spacer height=”30px”]
Current number one Petr Cech intends to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal with Leno, his agent Viktor Kolar has cleared this out with following statement.[spacer height=”30px”]
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“It is always busy during every transfer window around Petr Cech, as a great Premier League person.[spacer height=”20px”]
However, he maximally focuses on the new season at Arsenal, no specific offer is available.”
–Viktor Kolar(Petr Cech’s agent) [spacer height=”20px”][/perfectpullquote]
[spacer height=”30px”]Third choice goalkeeper David Ospina might be on his way out, as reported by his agent, which consequently just might make way for Iliev’s hard-sought place in the main team. Although, with the return of Emiliano Martinez back at the London Colony after his loan spell with Getafe and his performances in the pre-season training has left the fans asking for a second chance to Emi, according to Sunday Express.[spacer height=”30px”]
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“Really hope Emi becomes our backup keeper, Ospina needs regular (sic) football at a smaller club and Cech’s career shouldn’t end being a backup at Arsenal.
Emi has real potential and been a part of Arsenal for so long.” – Arsenal Fan after first pre-season friendly against Boreham Wood
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Also giving competition to the likes of Emi and Iliev, are youngsters like 23 years old Matt Macey, and the prodigal 18 years old Joao Virginia from The Academy.[spacer height=”30px”]
Matt Macey was suggested as an immediate replacement for Łukasz Fabiański. Macey made his debut for Arsenal on 24 October 2017 against Norwich City in the EFL Cup fourth round, match finishing with 2–1 victory for us in extra time.[spacer height=”30px”]
The fact that Deyan offered a new contract at the end of his stay, despite missing 2 years due to the injury, and his involvement with the first-team in pre-season training so far, tells us about the commendation Emery and the club has for Iliev.[spacer height=”30px”]
Currently Arsenal goalkeeping situation looks rather crowded, with more than 5 players fighting for the 3 spots in the first team. I personally think that it’ll take a lot of elbow greasing for Iliev to get into main squad, but he has potential to break into the team if he goes through the training well and the fact that this lad doesn’t ever give up, just might go all the way for him.[spacer height=”30px”]
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