Arsenal: Ranking 3 Bernd Leno replacements for summer transfer window

Many pundits and fans alike cite the importance of the spine of the team. The spine at Arsenal has looked frail and brittle this season. The blame can be attributed to Thomas Partey being overrun in midfield, Gabriel making poor decisions and, most recently, Bernd Leno gifting Everton a goal through a calamitous error.

Combined with his blunders in playing out from the back and an obvious lack of confidence, Mikel Arteta may be looking for a younger keeper who better fits his style of play.

Leno looks uncomfortable on the ball and his recent comments about not being opposed to a new challenge might mean the club needs to find a replacement sooner rather than later.

The 29-year-old spared Arsenal from falling to a 3-0 scoreline against Villarreal with a fine stop, the like that has become a regular feature during his time at the club, but sadly coupled with his mistakes.

Arsenal: Ranking 3 Bernd Leno replacements for summer transfer window with confidence in goalkeeper falling

As Arsenal attempt to strengthen their spine, here are three replacements for the German.

3. Unai Simon – Athletic Club

It’s been reported in Spain that Arteta is keen on Unai Simon in a bid to shore up the goalkeeping position.

Simon is a young player, only 23 years of age, and has impressed for Athletic Club this campaign, playing every single minute in La Liga. The Spaniard boasts all of the qualities required of a top keeper: quick reflexes, good footwork, strong hands and excellent one-on-one saves.

The highly-rated Spaniard is under contract until 2025 having recently penned a new deal with no termination clause attached, which would be of concern were Athletic not eyeing the cash windfall his potential sale would bring.

His extension, age and ability all mean that Arsenal will have to splash some cash should they decide to make this much-needed signing.

2. Gianluigi Donnarumma – AC Milan

No list of young, exceptional goalkeepers could be complete without Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It’s hard to believe that the Italian is still only 22 years old. It seems as if he’s been playing for decades already, such is his consistency and importance to AC Milan. However, this may very well change in the summer when Donnarumma’s contract expires.

Milan will be keen to hold on to a player so crucial to their own rebuild, but with a number of other clubs interested, their appeal will be tested at the end of the season.

The Italian has shown remarkable ability since bursting onto the scene as a teenager and his reflexes are second to none. Playing out from the back, however, needs work and given how insistent Arteta is on building from deep, this transfer may not be as needed as it looks.