Bernd Leno made his debut for Arsenal last night in the 4-2 Europa League win over FC Vorskla.
Having joined for £22.5 from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, many expected the club’s record goalkeeping signing to slot into the first team straight away, but Unai Emery has preferred Petr Cech in the Premier League, leaving the German benched.
The 26 year old admits it’s frustrating, but says he’s knows he’s got time on his side and that he’ll keeping working to push for his place in the team.
“I came to the club to play every game,” he said.
“But I think to move to a bigger club, another country, it needs maybe a little bit of time. It is a little bit frustrating but I keep calm and work very hard to improve.
“I think my performances in training are good. I train very hard and maybe it needs a little bit of time. I keep calm. My chance will come.
“I came for the Premier League. I think it is the best league. The Bundesliga is good but the Premier League is better so I will look forward to playing anytime in the Premier League.”
He sounds pretty positive about his relationship with Cech though, saying, “We have fun together. We push each other and I think the competition with us is very good. We both can improve and it’s still going.
“Of course, he is a big personality. He had a big career and is still a very good goalkeeper – it is very good to work with him and for my development it is very good to have the competition with him.”
Good choice of words. Comes across as someone who does care very much about playing and wants to install himself as the de facto starter, all the while respecting the man who’s got his place in the side atm. ?
I think the slow introduction of leno is a good thing, considering English media and some of our fans. I recently saw a video about how ter-stegen has been slowly bed in by barça and the results are good. Cech and Leno can learn from each other.
Oh you mean by Tifo Football? He is very knowledgeable both in and out of the football spectrum.
Yes that is what i meant. FYI for the interested people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4OFGgVyW-E
I’m glad he’s frustrated, as much as I liked Ospina he seemed happy just to be here (in fairness he probably deserved more of a run in the side at times).
If both players are working harder we can only benefit from it
I suspect that Leno’s arrival has refocused Cech and caused him to improve. Cech is probably playing at his top level since arriving from Chelsea, even accounting for the growing pains with playing out from the back. Competition among good, ambitious players is a good thing.
I agree – to me Cech has looked fitter, sharper. He’s always been focused- that’s probably his best ‘mental strength’. And dare I say it, he even looks just a touch quicker? Or is that just me? But I’m eager to see more from Leno. Though this match was of little comparative value, there is a real and tangible value to the fact that he just LOOKS comfortable on the ball. With Cech you can read from he other end of the pitch he’s just not comfortable with the ball at his feet. That makes a difference to the players… Read more »
Nothing he’s done suggest he is better than Cech. Maybe at feet but there is so much more. The onus is on him to show in the cup matches he has it to replace the incumbent stalwart.
Leno is class. Im reall impressed. I saw socratis and aubameyang olay we ll for the 1st time this here
Please try to stay off the booze, mate.
Hahahaha
JD has had a night on the JD…