Arsenal have completed the signing of goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who arrives in a €22m move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Although Petr Cech can command his area reasonably well, he is not the great shot stopper he once was. It seems sensible therefore that he will not play as many games as he has over the last three seasons, but he could provide excellent guidance for Leno, who is coming into the peak of his career.
Leno, who has been at his previous club for the last seven years was delighted with the move and believes he can be a part of an exciting project.
Speaking to the club’s official website, manager, Emery said, “We are very pleased that Bernd Leno will be joining us. Bernd is a goalkeeper of high quality and experience. He has been a top performer and regular number one goalkeeper with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga for the past seven years. We are all excited that Bernd has chosen Arsenal Football Club and look forward to start working with him in pre-season.”
Bernd Leno in an Arsenal shirt for the first time
The Stuttgart academy graduate is hoping to fight for his place in the Germany squad, having been left out of Joachim Low’s plans for Russia; Kevin Trapp and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were the two chosen along with captain Manuel Neuer.
The latter two have an advantage in playing regularly for high-profile clubs, but Leno may not be too far off the standard required. He finished joint-second in the race for the Bundesliga golden glove, keeping 10 clean sheets in 33 games last season, conceding just 40 goals in a side that might not consider itself to be among the elite.
Leno is not only a fine shot-stopper, he is also at ease with the ball at his feet which should help us play out from the back better than we did last season.
Having made over 230 appearances for Leverkusen, Leno looks ready for this next challenge.
GOOD FOR GUNNERS