Bernd Leno Set to Leave Arsenal in the Summer as Club Permit Move

Bernd Leno is expected to leave Arsenal at the end of this season due to heroic performances by Aaron Ramsdale. According to Football.London, few Bundesliga teams are ready to sign the German goalkeeper. The 30-year-old has been out of favour at the club ever since Arsenal signed Ramsdale from Sheffield United.

Arsenal signed Leno in 2018/19 as their number 1 goalkeeper. He displayed his quality in quite a few matches and Arsenal also won a few games because of his heroics. Everyone criticized Arsenal’s move for Ramsdale but he has consolidated his hold over the number 1 position since his arrival. This has led to very less game time for Bernd Leno who is likely to leave Emirates in the summer.

Bernd Leno playing for Arsenal, Bernd Leno, Arsenal — Image obtained via Arsenal

Newcastle United are interested in signing the 30-year-old goalkeeper. However, his former club Bayer Leverkusen are also ready to re-sign Leno. According to Daily Star, Bernd Leno has decided to reject a move to Newcastle and join his former club instead. Although there is again a risk of being a second choice keeper at Leverkusen too. Whereas at Newcastle, he will be the first choice goalkeeper no questions asked.

Why Bernd Leno Leaving Arsenal Is A Good Choice For Both Parties?

Bernd Leno has the talent and skill to be a first-choice goalkeeper as he has displayed previously. He is now 30 years old and his talents will be very useful somewhere else other than the Arsenal bench. Moreover, many teams prefer to have a younger goalkeeper as their second choice keeper. The goal is to develop the younger goalkeeper to be the future first-choice goalkeeper in the long term.

His departure will offer Arsenal some funds that will help them make other signings. Arsenal will possibly play in the Champions League next season while also challenging for other trophies. They will need to make necessary signings to be a strong contender for winning silverware. They have to make important signings in the striking department and also the midfield.

Bernd Leno unhappy at Arsenal, Bernd Leno, Arsenal — Image obtained via India Today

Arsenal have already signed Matt Turner in January from New England Revolution. He is supposed to be the second-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal. This implies that Arsenal have already started to plan for a life without Bernd Leno in the squad. Leno has made only eight appearances this season despite joining as the first-choice goalkeeper.

What Makes Arsenal Favour Ramsdale To Leno?

Bernd Leno did not look like getting replaced any time soon. He was giving consistent performances. Even when Arsenal lost the first 3 games of this season, Leno was not at fault much and couldn’t do much about the goals themselves. Signing Ramsdale at that time made everyone question Arsenal’s decision.

However, the English shot-stopper’s first few appearances shook the world and suddenly, he was getting more game time than Leno. Aaron Ramsdale has qualities that are better suited to this Arsenal side rather than the qualities of the German keeper.

Ramsdale is a more loud character who commands his team with instructions. Arsenal have a very young side and that needs a decisive voice guiding them while defending. Being a loud extrovert, he has settled in the Arsenal squad very well. On the other hand, Leno is comparatively calm and collected and doesn’t get vocal.

Although those are good qualities, that is not something needed at Arsenal. Arsenal needs a keeper who is constantly shouting and keeping the defence coordinated. The developing squad needs something that wakes them up after a poor play.

Not only that but Ramsdale is also better while playing out from the back. This also perfectly fits in with what Arsenal wants to do on the pitch. Although Leno is a very good goalkeeper, he is not what Arsenal needs right now.

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