Bernd Leno wants to cement his place as Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper ahead of the experienced Petr Cech.
The German shot-stopper, who signed for the Gunners over the summer from Bayer Leverkusen, has featured in the club’s last six games in all competitions after Cech suffered a hamstring injury in late-September.
However, Cech has returned to full fitness and was on the bench for Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool last Sunday, leaving many to believe that he has ousted the aging Czech as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Leno has since insisted that he will fight for his starting place. Quoted in the Daily Mail, the 26-year-old said on the matter:
“I am proud and happy the coach decided on me and I will give my best performances so that won’t change.
“First of all, it gives me confidence to play in big games like against Liverpool on Saturday.
“But I think it pushes us because nobody is safe to play. I think both of us will play many games this season and so the performances have to be good.
“I think we push each other every day in training and in the games.”
Leno has impressed as of late, conceding just five goals in the six games he’s started and kept two clean as well. However, the German has made one or two errors whilst defending set-pieces which may concern some Arsenal fans. Despite these mistakes, Leno has started off his Arsenal career in a promising fashion and looks a very worthy competitor for Cech this season.