What is it about Arsenal’s ex-keepers complaining about their time at the Emirates after they have moved on?
We had a long-running saga with Emi Martinez after joining Aston Villa, and now Bernd Leno has blasted his former boses at Arsenal, and implied that he was dropped because of “politics” rather than anything to do with his performances.
This has been reported in SportsBuzzer and other German media after Leno had featured in an interview with SportsBild, and here is an excerpt from that article…..
Bernd Leno has complained about the actions of his former club Arsenal. In an interview with ‘Sport Bild‘, the 30-year-old keeper explains: “When I realized that it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew I had to go.” US competitor Matt Turner (28) was mainly engaged for marketing reasons: “During the preparation I saw that it’s not about performance, it’s just about politics. It was clear to me: I have to get out of here.”
Leno is now a regular again at Fulham FC. With a view to his chances of a place in the DFB squad, this is essential: “The most important thing for me is to find my rhythm again. Especially after I wasn’t actually able to train properly at Arsenal and had no preparation. It’s up to me to get the focus back on the national team.”
This is interesting and a little strange. It is implied that the USA international keeper Matt Turner was only hired for commercial reasons (marketing? Politics?) and that is why he had decided to leave Arsenal, but (correct me if I’m wrong), I am pretty sure that the German had decided to leave the Emirates before we even made a bid for Turner.
And I’m finding it hard to understand why he “wasn’t actually able to train properly at Arsenal”.
Something here doesn’t quite add up….
What do you think?
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You start by complaining about ex keepers slagging off the club and then give them airtime on here rather than ignoring it. Now we will get comments bringing up Martinez, Guendozy and god forbid, Özil. Thanks !
I totally understand their frustration which are valid but I don’t feel much sympathy for them considering how much they earned.
Millions would love to be in their shoes without even complaining.
Moreso, the management is doing what they think is best for the team which simply means many employees would be affected with that decision.
Very true Mr Leno…. that new keeper is junk
He was a good GK but leaked high balls, corners etc. Two seasons ago we were coasting home against Chelsea leading by a goal and two high gave him up.
I never trusted him anyway
I think Arteta has really tried for him, because of the trust Arteta had for him, he sold Martinez believing that he would made him proud but not, it was mistake upon mistake, then we bought Ramsdale to be his under study and second keeper, but he was active and Arteta saw the passion in him, he also know how to communicate with the defenders and is comfortable with the ball at his feet( far more than Leno)….
What else does he want the manager to do?
The commercial aspect of signing an American player,we have another who is currently on loan to Birmingham, is interesting indeed.The fact that we have American owners might just have something to do with it, but we will never know.From what I have seen of our two imports, neither is likely to make it with Arsenal.
@Goonster
Political,maybe but religious?????
He is not the first one to cry about political or religious persecution at Arsenal.
🤣😇
Regardless of who said what or if what was said is accurate the fact is Leno has gone.
I just hope that Ramsdale is not injured as I have my doubts about Turner. Hopefully I am wrong and letting Leno go will not come back to haunt us. I always thought Leno was a better keeper than Ramsdale, but what do I know compared to Arteta.
Says Someone Who Took In Nine (9) Goals And Left Us Battling For The Soul Of Our Dear Club.
It’s easy to slag the guy off, but his assessment of the situation is from being “inside” the organisation. And those “outside” the organisation, merely speculating…IJS
Most wanted Martinez over Leno that was the original hate on Arteta version. Top of the league. Dropped points away to better opposition than our rivals and still above them? Chelsea bought Auba which kinda made sense with his link up with Tuchel, sacked him linked with Potter… good appointment, would expect Auba to link up play in his system ala Lacazette. We are flying… IJS
At the start of the season I thought it was a strange decision to let Leno leave and buy Turner. But now I am comforted in the thought that Carl Hein has been promoted to the Ist team. I rate this guy more than Ramsdale in the long term although he will make the odd error.
there is nothing political about clearing £100k per week off the wage bill
As with most things the truth is somewhere in-between most likely.
For example with the politics example. Ozil’s comments regarding China, or the idea of homegrown quota of players over importing foreign players.
Turner as a marketing ploy probably has quite a bit of truth to it; selling jersey’s in the States, because he clearly is not a better keeper than Leno.
On the flip side, one could say politics was not very influential, and it was more down to Leno’s performances. His distribution was poor compared to Ramsdale, and he was shaky on the high shots on goal and coming out for corners.
@durand
Have you seen them both over time to say “clearly the better keeper”
The USA coach obviously thinks he is the best in America. Its a big country….
But is being the best in the USA does not make you good, or maybe i misunderstand what yiu are implying.
Tbh have nit seen turner in action so cannot comment, but it is highly unlikely that a USA number is better than a German number one. I would put my life on it 9 times out of 10.
At least let him play a competitive match. I assume he’ll start tomorrow so maybe judge then. From what I’ve seen/heard he can play out from the back which is fundamental to our play. His MLS GK of the year last year suggest he ain’t useless that way. Time will tell if he can step up, tomorrow is his 1st chance.
Admin
I’m from the States, you may or may not know from my info. I’ve seen Turner in MLS and his improvement and call up to the National team.
His career shows improvement year after year, but currently is definitely not better than Leno.
Turner will be a good backup, I’ve even made positive and supportive comments towards him when he was first signed by Arsenal.
Given a choice though, it’s Leno every time over Turner, he currently is not as good as Leno.
Wages?
probably wages, poor form and who knows maybe poor attitude.
I think if you leave a club and say bad things in the public eye about your employer, it more than likey says more about you.
United just bought Dubravka to be back up. Chelsea only have Kepa because nobody will buy him and he’s happy with his wages. Leno is not the norm for a back up, anywhere.
For the record Kepa is on more than Ramsdale/Turner combined. That effects FFP.
Was politics the reason why Arteta chose him over Martinez?
Great question because that was the great debate.
Leno should keep hls mouth short because arteta have trusted him by chosen him over Martinez but he fail, look at his performance against us, he gave us cheap goal, quality keeper could have done better.
Ramsadale performance was in different level, his distribution, command, aerial and communication with his defender is wonderful.
Finally can anyone remember Ramsadale save against Madison leceister city, let Leno go back and watch replay.
“When I realized that it wasn’t about performance or quality…”
Does anybody really believe he’s upset that we bought another backup gk? If he truly is better than Turner, and quite possibly he is, then he’d still be the no2. No, he’s upset that he lost his place to ramsdale, who’s clearly ahead of him in many aspects that are vital to the way we play.
This is arrogance; Leno is not as good as he thinks he is. Being a top shot stopper doesn’t make you a top gk. He already showed that in his game against us.
At least let him play a competitive match. I assume he’ll start tomorrow so maybe judge then. From what I’ve seen/heard he can play out from the back which is fundamental to our play. His MLS GK of the year last year suggest he ain’t useless that way. Regardless of who said what or if what was said is accurate the fact is Leno has gone.
I just hope that Ramsdale is not injured as I have my doubts about Turner. Hopefully I am wrong and letting Leno go will not come back to haunt us. I always thought Leno was a better keeper than Ramsdale, but what do I know compared to Arteta.