The truth of just sour grapes? Leno criticizes Arsenal over his role

When he was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 for 25 million euros, German international Bernd Leno was seen as a quality competition for the ageing Petr Cech, and soon enough, he took the Number 1 shirt. But, after four years and 125 appearances for the Gunners (37 clean sheets and 145 goals conceded) the German was relegated to backup and decided to leave the club. And now, sitting at Craven Cottage, he felt the need to criticize his former club, claiming that his situation was ‘all politics’.

In the massive overhaul during the last three transfer windows, director Edu and coach Mikel Arteta decided to shake up every position in the team, and saw young and uprising keeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, just like Unai Emery saw Leno in 2018. They decided to splash the cash (around 35 million) and the German suddenly found himself on the reserve bench. In this transfer window, Arsenal brought in American keeper Matt Taylor and he signed for Fulham, as he needs playtime ahead of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, but still had his own version of how things ended with the Gunners.

“When I realised that it wasn't about performance or quality, I knew I had to go. During the preparation, I saw that it's not about performance, it's just about politics. It was clear to me: I have to get out of here” he said to Bild.

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The statement surprised basically everybody, since Leno was the first goal keeper until Arteta made decision as a coach to put Ramsdale at the goal. The only explanation about politics could have been the Turner signing, as he is an American player, and Arsenal are trying (as any other club) to get hold of the football population in a huge USA market. But, Turner was always gonna be number 2, never a first choice.

Even his former coach Mikel Arteta was surprised when he was asked to comment on Leno’s statement.

“I’m really surprised and I don't know if he’s talking about the politics when he was starting every match or the politics when he wasn’t playing. Really surprised about it” said the Spaniard.