Bernd Leno admits he needed time to adapt to life at Arsenal but now feels confident in his position as Unai Emery’s first choice goalkeeper.
Despite being signed for £19.2 million in the summer, the Germany international started the season as back-up to Petr Cech with whispers circulating that he’d struggled in a couple of behind-closed-door friendlies.
True or not, the 26-year-old has since established himself at the Emirates making 25 appearances, the majority of which have come in the rough and tumble of the Premier League.
Like his continental predecessors, the physicality of English football is something that Leno admits he has had to get used to, but he sees it as a positive.
“I am proud to be No.1 of Arsenal in the Premier League,” he told Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Bournemouth.
“I am happy here, of course I needed a little bit of time to get used to new team-mates, a new league, new country, new football. Football here is different to Germany.
“The biggest difference is the speed of the game and also the style of the game.
“Physically it is strong and the referees don’t whistle for every contact, I like this way, but it needed a little bit of time because in Germany you are always protected by the referee, but here nobody protects you and you have to get used to it.”
Patience was always going to be key for Leno, who arrived at a club in a state of flux following the exit of Arsene Wenger and the arrival of Unai Emery and the Spaniard’s own football philosophy.
“It needed time but now I am better than before but I can still improve,” he says.
“Arsenal is my second professional club in my career, and it was clear that it needed a little bit of time, but now I am settled in the club and I feel at home here.
“I get confidence from my team-mates, everybody accepts my personality and my quality and as a goalkeeper that is very important to have that confidence. I feel very comfortable in this team.
“Many things in the club have changed – new manager, some new team-mates and we play in a different way. For me and the team we needed time to try and trust each other and get a feeling for me as a ‘keeper with the defence.
“At the beginning, we had problems with many things – to play from the back and defend our goal but it was normal.
“The manager said we needed time and confidence because last season was not the best season of the club. We improved a lot and our defence is much better than before.”
Having only kept three clean sheets in the league all season, it’s fair to say we have a lot more improving to do.
Injuries, constantly switching formation and erratic performances by individuals have all undermined our efforts on the defensive front so far this season. Major surgery is required this summer but after a solid debut season, Leno can be reasonably confident that he’s not one of the limbs that’ll be amputated.
I like him, he seems to have adapted well now after a slow introduction. I think he’s a good keeper with the potential to become a great keeper. Just hope he continues to improve to reach the next level. I did have to laugh at the comment “We improved a lot and our defence is much better than before.” Maybe we have improved slightly but I would hardly say the defence is much better. But he’s saying all the right things.
The jury’s still out on him: we’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly so far this season. His recent performances have been good.
Massive night tonight. Another win with a clean sheet is just what’s needed right now. With Spuds coming up on Saturday maximum points today is a must. Sadly, the best result for us in west London tonight would be for the scum to beat the Chavs: that would probably knock the Blues out of fourth-place contention.
It’s squeaky-bum time: every result between now and the end of the season matters. Let’s start by winning tonight.
I’d say it’s hard to be a good goalie with a poor defence, it can’t be good for confidence to concede sloppy goals even of it isn’t the keeper’s fault. We should see an improvement in his performances correlate with an improvement in defence.
I see him as a three/four year option with the potential to be world class. Similarly to how Liverpool’s Before spending huge on an upgrade
I’m still cheering for a 0-0 draw in the Sp*ds vs. Chelski game with lots of injuries and red cards.
Leno feels keepers are not protected in EPL? What game am I watching? How overprotected are they in other leagues?
I actually think there are a few more twist and turns before the season ends for the top 4 battle (not focusing on the title but just the CL places). I think a better result for us is a draw between the Spuds and Chavs, a win for either team is 3 points, while the combined points for a draw is only 2. Also, it would be better that Spuds are looking over their shoulders rather than looking ahead to the table toppers. Race is not just with Chelsea but ManU as well, arguably they have a good squad in… Read more »
I am concerned. How can a keeper who sees the defence play in front of him say we have improved a lot ? I started thinking about Arsenal defence improvement challenge then thought I wasn’t a Spurs fan.
He wasn’t here last season so he’s not really making a comparison. As already said he’s just saying what sounds right for the TV interview. He’s not going to be thanked for saying “actually the defence is still really bad”…
The truth is our defense has improved. Not greatly, far from it, but improvements have been made and hes for me one of the reasons why. Compared to other keepers in the league hes not the best nor will be but hes pretty good and has room to grow. I think hes much better then Kepa! And back to the defense, weve only signed Sokratis who is 30 and got Lichsteiner on a 1yr whos 34… we’ve lost Bellerin and Holding, Chambers is on loan and only going to be a squad player, Kosc is 33 and after that injury… Read more »
Only thing that bugs me about Leno is his tendency to parry the ball into dangerous areas, as opposed to whipping them behind the goal for corners. Noticed it again against Southampton and we were lucky noone was there to pounce on it. But in general, think he’s settling in nicely. Doubt he’ll ever reach De Gea levels but then again, who will?
Another thing for him to get used to in English football is deciding when and If he gets substituted. In most other associations, its decided by the manager. But over here, its up to the player, as so expertly demonstrated by Kepa.
No argument here?
Not sure why so many people have reservations about Leno. Considering he is playing behind our leaky defence, he looks great and just needs better decisions about when to come for crosses.
The best since Lehman and more assured with the ball at his feat than most defenders.
Ah I see you Leno, ok let me try
I like that the refs are too incompetent to make consistent decisions even within a single game let alone on a game by game basis and are rarely if ever held accountable for their substandard officiating the. In Germany they do but here they don’t but you get used to it.
Am I doing it right?
I don’t think major surgery is required, the players we got this last summer have all had a positive impact, additions made with precision. I doubt Emery is happy, likewise I doubt he will make a drastic squad overhaul. ~2 players that improve us further is what we can hope for, neither will be a keeper, Leno is worth investing time in. The challenge is not only buying what you want, but selling what you want. The latter has not been our best skill over the last decade