Leno plays down Arsenal exit rumours: ‘My focus is here’

James Holland
Bernd Leno Arsenal F365

Bernd Leno has responded to rumours of an Arsenal exit by saying his focus is entirely on the north London side.

The German shot-stopper has endured a tough campaign along with his Gunners team-mates.

They’ve struggled in the Premier League and look set to finish outside of the European places. Their Europa League campaign also came to an end in the semi-final, as they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Unai Emery‘s Villarreal.


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Leno’s worst moment of the season came in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton last month.

He let a seemingly tame Richarlison effort go straight past him and into the net, in a mistake which proved costly for Arsenal’s top six hopes.

Following that error, the 29-year-old was linked with a summer move away from the Premier League.

He was supposedly on a six-man list of players put up for sale by the Arsenal hierarchy during their plans for a summer rebuild.

However, Leno has rebuffed those claims by insisting his future is at the Emirates.

He told German source Sport1 (via Evening Standard): “I don’t want to flee here, I feel good and want to be successful again with Arsenal.

“Arsenal are a big club, which is extremely underestimated in Germany, there are many Arsenal fans all over the world.

“I still have a two-year contract and hope to play in the Champions League again with Arsenal.

“It is also clear that at some point in my career I want to do something different. So far I’ve played for two clubs. Maybe I’ll get the urge to play in another league again. Maybe in the south.

“But there is time, I’m still getting to the top goalkeeping age. But my focus is on Arsenal.”

Leno has made 115 appearances for the Gunners since joining for a £22.5million fee in 2018. He’s won the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time in England, although it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta can bring any more success to Arsenal.

Their squad looks in desperate need of a summer revamp. Big money moves for Martin Odegaard, Yves Bissouma and Abdallah Sima could be made as the Gunners eye a return to their glory days.