Bernd Leno has had a little pop at Tottenham and Chelsea comparing them unfavourably with Arsenal and claiming that Arsenal are THE club in London.
The German keeper was asked by SportBild to compare the Gunners to his previous club Bayer Leverkusen and his response was fairly cutting towards Arsenal’s bitter London rivals.
“You can’t compare that, of course Arsenal is a world club, THE club here in London.
“Not Chelsea, not Tottenham – Arsenal is the club here with fans around the world. ‘No matter where we are, also in the USA or in Asia, there are many fans of Arsenal everywhere.”
He is right in terms of fans, Arsenal is a global phenomenon compared to Chelsea and Spurs, the numbers on social media and the following overseas proves that beyond doubt.
I did enjoy reading his comments, I know it will rile the Chelsea and Spurs hoards, they take it real personal when they are reminded how small they are in comparison to Arsenal.
Arsenal may not have had the success that Chelsea has had over the last decade but that is not the point Leno was making, he was talking about stature, reputation, history and culture and Arsenal has that in abundance.
You cannot buy what Arsenal have and you cannot get it with big flashy new stadiums, it takes generations to build what Arsenal have got.
We just need the players to get their acts together now and that includes Leno, it is never helpful gifting goals to our most bitter rivals.