Newly-appointed Arsenal manager Unai Emery must revamp the Arsenal squad and get them ready for the new Premier League season. To do so, the ongoing transfer window will be crucial and it looks like there is a new target on his wishlist.
Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno has attracted his attention. The German goalkeeper joined the club in 2011 from VfB Stuttgart and has gone on to make 231 appearances in the Bundesliga. The German international has a £24.5m release clause in his contract and said to be a priority target for Arsenal.
Leno made 30 appearances in the league last season, maintaining 9 clean sheets 72 saves in the process. The 26-year-old made 45 saves from inside the box and 25 from outside it. He also averaged 1.47 saves per game in the league. He is an excellent shot stopper and possesses cat-like reflexes.
The German has been the Bayer Leverkusen No.1 for a long time and has no shortage of experience in Europe as well. He has failed to make Germany’s World Cup squad, meaning Arsenal can initiate contact as soon as possible. And given the cut-throat competition, Emery must make all his signings before the start of the preseason.
Petr Cech is far from the goalkeeper he once was. There was a point in his career when he was the best in the Premier League but now, the same can’t be said. The likes of David De Gea, Hugo Lloris and Ederson have effectively displaced him and Cech has struggled lately.
Having joined Arsenal in 2015, the Czech Republic star has made 103 appearances for the Gunners so far. Much of his fame and reputation was earned during his time at Stamford Bridge.
He represented Chelsea for 11 years, going on to make a name for himself across Europe. He is also the record-holder for the most number of clean sheets in the Premier League, which stands at 201.
Despite his age, the Gunners goalkeeper made 34 appearances in the Premier League, keeping 8 clean sheets in the process. He made a total of 92 saves in the league, averaging 2.29 saves per game. At 36 years of age, it is clear that Cech outclasses Leno in every category, except potential.
The Arsenal goalkeeper does not have much fuel left in the tank and he should resort to a second-choice role. His future at the club is definitely under threat and it remains to be seen whether Emery will go for Leno.
