The scales of Bernd Leno transfer has been tipped in Arsenal’s favour as Serie A outfit, SSC Napoli has shifted their attention towards Genoa’s Mattia Perin. The Gunners could end up with the 26-year-old in their squad next season by paying his release clause of £22m.
Leno’s talents like that of many competent German goalkeepers has been overshadowed by the dominance of Manuel Neuer as Germany’s number one shot-stopper. It would be foolish to overlook the Bayer Leverkusen player who has been impressing in the Bundesliga for the last 7 years.
Leno started his professional career with VfB Stuttgart and went on to make his Bundesliga debut against Werder Bremen while serving a loan-spell with Leverkusen. At 19, he was the youngest goalkeeper to take the UEFA Champions League stage against Chelsea and was the third goalkeeper in the Bundesliga to maintain three clean sheets in his first three games.
The 6-time German international has already racked up close to 300 appearances for Die Werkself with 98 clean sheets to his name, 10 of those registered this season. Currently, he is way below the pecking order in the German national team behind the likes of Marc Andre Ter Stegen and Kevin Trapp.
It is unsure whether he will travel to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup but do not let that obscure your judgment of him. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, he is as athletic as any top-flight number 1 shot-stopper should be and has a remarkable ability to read the opposition attacks.
Had it not been for the presence of Petr Cech, spending all that cash for Leno would have been a no-brainer for Arsene Wenger. However, one needs to consider the probable outcome of the transfer.
Yes, Cech has endured a rough season in a Gunners jersey but then again, so has the rest of the team. Almost every player could be held accountable for their inconsistencies and Wenger takes the majority of it.
Their defence has been far from impressive with the worst record amongst the top six of the Premier League. The manager has struggled to implement a solid structure, which has resulted for the club to finish outside of the Champions League qualification spots and make an embarrassing exit from the FA Cup.
Arsenal’s League Cup final appearance was also woeful and plans need to be set up for future improvements. While Cech is facing the last leg of his playing career, at 35 years of age, it would be wise for Wenger to allocate his financial resources towards the necessary requirements – like a top-pedigree defender and a winger.
