Bernd Leno arrives for Arsenal training and takes No 19 shirt as German begins fight with Petr Cech for starting spot - 7M sport

Bernd Leno arrives for Arsenal training and takes No 19 shirt as German begins fight with Petr Cech for starting spot



Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2018 by Thesun.co.uk

NEW Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno has been handed the No 19 shirt as he goes head-to-head with Petr Cech as first-choice at the Emirates.

The German keeper takes over the squad number from Santi Cazorla who left after six years in North London.

Bernd Leno arrives for Arsenal training and takes No 19 shirt as German begins fight with Petr Cech for starting spot
New Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno has reported for pre-season training

The Gunners claim the 26-year-old opted for that number because his £19million switch from Bayer Leverkusen was completed on June 19.

The club added: "Leno also made his first-team debut aged 19 while on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Vfb Stuttgart.

"Let's hope the No 19 brings more happy memories for Bernd this season."

Leno started his pre-season training at London Colney today working with goalkeeping coach Sal Bibbo going through some routine drills before hitting the gym for a weights session.

The keeper was not part of Germany's disastrous World Cup squad campaign, so will be available to new boss Unai Emery for their pre-season tour of Singapore this month where they face Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

And Leno, who spent seven years at the Bayer Arena, knows he faces a battle with the experienced Cech to convince Emery he is going to be the main man in goal at the Emirates.

However, the 36-year-old is adamant he is not giving up his No 1 position without a fight after snubbing a move to Serie A.

Cech said: "My contract with Arsenal still has a year to run.

"The only thing I'm preparing for is the fight for the No 1 spot in goal.

"Napoli were interested but my future is at Arsenal. I didn't think of changing clubs."

Colombian keeper David Ospina who essentially will be third-choice and is expected to leave the club this summer.



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