Arsenal Quarterly Report Card: Bernd Leno

We’re at the quarterly(ish) stage of the season.

In an ideal world we wouldn’t have time to reflect and instead go straight into another fixture, but the international break is here and, well, there’s nothing we can do. Tough luck for Arsenal fans.

Reviewing how the team has performed so far this season is one thing, but we’re going to take a look at the individuals on show for the moment, focussing on Bernd Leno first.

With the call made to keep him over Emiliano Martinez, it’s been a mixed bag from Leno so far, as we’ve been witness to the two contrasting sides of his game thus far.

The Good

The win at Old Trafford, which feels like a century ago, showed Leno has been improving his long-range distribution. At short distances he’s demonstrated (most of the time) solid enough passing ability, but he found his man more accurately and frequently against Manchester United.

What’s more, he’s still a menace to beat from range, and in close quarters, with his reactions still top-notch even when he may have been fleetingly called into action throughout matches.

Leno is still a solid keeper.

The Bad

Guilty of a few errors during his time in north London, never has Leno produced quite so many in one fell swoop as he did away at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League. At fault for the opening goal, he then proceeded to make a string of questionable decisions on the ball, in arguably his worst display in an Arsenal shirt.

It was concerning considering he was brought to the club for his technical ability, but equally he was flapping at crosses and nowhere near commanding enough of his box.

Areas of his game are still in need of refinement, but progress is being made.

Best Moment – Anfield Win

Leno, as we all know, is a fine shot-stopper. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was undeniably the Player of the Season last term, but Leno was a deserved second place.

Against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, he put in a display that encapsulated all his best assets, culminating in a penalty shootout victory.

Divock Origi and Harry Wilson were stopped from the spot to win the tie, but a string of saves in normal time thwarted the Reds on a night where Arsenal ground out a result. Leno is largely to thank.

Bernd Leno’s Arsenal Rating

B-