Leno says he never feared for Arsenal spot
Leno #Leno
Soccer Football – Carabao Cup Fourth Round – Liverpool v Arsenal – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – October 1, 2020 Arsenal’s Bernd Leno makes a save Pool via REUTERS/Peter Byrne
(Reuters) – Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno said he never feared losing his starting spot to Emiliano Martinez during his injury lay-off last season.
Leno, 28, sustained a knee injury in June that ruled him out of the final few matches of the 2019-20 campaign. Martinez impressed in the German’s absence, playing a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph but he was sold to Aston Villa in the close season.
“The club always gave me the feeling I was the number one, I am the number one and will be the number one,” Leno, who kept a clean sheet and saved two penalties in Thursday’s League Cup victory over Liverpool, told Sky Sports.
“That was always very good from the club – my job is to prove it every week and I think I’ve done it again.
“Of course, it’s very good for a goalkeeper to make saves from penalties and see laughing faces after the game, but I’d prefer next time to win the game without a shootout. When it happens though it’s even better.”
Arsenal, who are fifth in the Premier League standings, face Sheffield United on Sunday.
(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Robert Birsel)