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3. The Bernd Leno growing pains

When Arsenal signed Bernd Leno in the summer, there were plenty of warnings about his error-prone ways. Talented, yes. Schooled in his work with the ball at his feet, absolutely. But error-prone. And it was this detrimental trait that came to roost here.

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There was the goal: Leno tried to palm clear a cross on the stretch but, instead of shifting it wide of the goal, he allowed the ball to rest right on the penalty spot for James Milner to smash into the bottom corner. But there were other instances of his mistake-riddled style.

He collided with Virgil van Dijk from a freekick on the edge of the penalty area, scuttling out from his goal 10-plus yards in a foolish and futile attempt to punch the ball clear. Van Dijk won the header easily and Leno was left in no-man’s land.

Ultimately, Arsenal were the better team in this game. But they were let down by their goalkeeper. Leno should continue to start for now. These mistakes are growing pains and he should be given time to prove that they can be amended and ironed out. But this was a big error. There is only so long that they can be accepted.