Arsenal: Bernd Leno fills a massive squad gap – Great business Gunners

Arsenal completed the £19 million signing of German goalkeeper Bernd Leno this week, Unai Emery’s 2nd official summer signing.

Blunders and bloopers from Arsenal’s goalkeeping duo of Petr Cech and David Ospina have been all too common over the past few seasons. Although it is incredible entertainment for neutrals and rivals, it is something that has caused all Arsenal fans to rip their hair out with frustration.

Goalkeeping has lost the Gunners many points over the years, and both first-team keepers have massive downsides to them.

Unai Emery however, has quickly addressed this major hole in the squad by signing Leverkusen goalkeeper, Bernd Leno. Rated as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world a few years ago, Leno has stagnated a bit in the past few years but will hope this change of scenery will push him higher.

Although Bernd Leno is no De Gea or Oblak, he is a solid goalkeeper who is still yet to reach his prime. It’s a bit harsh to say, but it will be difficult for him to perform worse than Cech and Ospina have.

Cech is a Premier League legend, but at 36, his best years are well behind him and his career is drawing to a close. David Ospina on the other hand, simply doesn’t command the box well enough and is simply too suspect when dealing with crosses and other dangerous balls into the box.

Leno brings qualities that Arsenal have been missing for years between the sticks.

Petr Cech hit headlines when he saved Troy Deeney’s penalty in a 3-0 Arsenal win over Watford in March. This was because that penalty was the first that Cech had managed to parry aside since his transfer to Arsenal. He failed to save almost 20 up to that point – a horrific statistic.

Bernd Leno on the other hand, is well-known for being a penalty-kick specialist. In 2013-14, he saved 5 of 8 penalties he faced, including 4 straight in the Bundesliga. A ridiculous statistic that Arsenal fans could only dream of. It may seem like a small stat, but things like this make all the difference at the end of a season.

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Arsenal will hope that Bernd Leno will help marshal and organize their erratic backline.

Leno is likely to be one of many defensive signings for Arsenal this summer, as Emery looks to revamp the club’s backline, completely. Bernd Leno is well-known for being a demanding and commanding player, which is certainly something Arsenal could use at the back.

At just 26-years-of-age, Bernd Leno still has plenty years ahead of him to improve his trapped play. With Arsenal having plenty of defensive issues and a wide open goalkeeping spot, this may just be the perfect club for Bernd Leno to prove himself.