Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has admitted he feels sorry for Arsenal counterpart Petr Cech, after watching the 36-year-old struggle to adapt to Unai Emery’s style.

Cech has had to deal with a few dodgy moments playing out from the back already this season. From almost passing the ball into his own net, to gifting Harry Arter a goalscoring opportunity, the goalkeeper is lucky nothing worse has come of his errors.

Foster argues we can’t blame the Czech star though, as playing out from the back is just not his game.

“Cech is one of the best goalkeepers the Premier League has seen but that really is not his game,” Foster told the BBC. “He has spent his whole career playing one style of football and now, at the end of his career, he’s being asked to play another one altogether.

“His strong points have always been being big and commanding and making saves, but the way football is going now you almost have to be one of those Ederson-type of goalkeepers. It’s going to take some time to get used to and I do feel sorry for him.”

It’s tough on Cech and Emery, because the goalkeeper is still clearly a great shot stopper. Despite all the goals Arsenal have already conceded, we’ve seen plenty more saves from dangerous opportunities against the team as well.

Whether Bernd Leno can replicate that, we’ll have to wait and see. The problem is that Arsenal’s failed attempts to play out from the back result in the team conceding more chances than they need to in the first place.

We saw Pep Guardiola put Claudio Bravo in goal during his first season for his expertise on the ball, even though the former Barcelona man could hardly save a single shot. City nonetheless maintained a top four position, and could adapt to the manager’s style of play. Then he brought in Ederson and combined the best of both worlds.

If Arsenal can follow City’s lead, it’ll help them out in the long run. As Foster points out though, it’s harsh on Cech.