‘I don’t want to leave… I want to be successful’: Bernd Leno rubbishes rumours he wants to leave Arsenal and claims he wants to bring Champions League football to the Emirates Stadium within two years
Bernd Leno has announced he has no desire to quit Arsenal this summer as he wants to get Champions League football back at the Emirates Stadium.
The German goalkeeper has been the main man in goal in what has been a very disappointing campaign for the Gunners – who run the serious risk of failing to qualify for European football for the first time in 25 years.
Reports claimed last week that Leno is one of five players who are dissatisfied with Arsenal’s mid-table standing and want to leave the north London club, but the 29-year-old has rubbished those rumours ahead of the season climax.
Bernd Leno has revealed his desire to remain at Arsenal despite reports linking him with an exit
The German goalkeeper has been Arsenal’s main man in goal during a disappointing campaign
Leno told German news outlet Sport1: ‘I don’t want to leave here, I feel good and want to be successful again with Arsenal.
‘Arsenal are a big club, which is extremely underestimated in Germany, there are many Arsenal fans all over the world. I still have a two-year contract and hope to play in the Champions League again with Arsenal.
‘It is also clear that at some point in my career I want to do something different. So far I’ve played for two clubs.
‘Maybe I’ll get the urge to play in another league again. Maybe in the south. But there is time, I’m still getting to the top goalkeeping age. But my focus is on Arsenal.’
Leno revealed his desire to bring Champions League football back to Mikel Arteta’s Gunners
Leno has played 47 times for the Gunners so far this season, including 33 times in the league, and has kept 15 clean sheets.
The Gunners go into the final two games of the Premier League season in ninth place and cannot finish anywhere higher than sixth place.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s chances of playing in the Champions League were scuppered by a Europa League semi-final exit to Villarreal earlier this month, while Mikel Arteta’s side suffered early exits from two domestic cup competitions.
Leno was asked whether he would ever consider a return to the Bundesliga, after making over 300 senior appearances for Bayer Leverkusen before moving to England, and while the shot stopper confirmed that – while may be a possibility – he is currently very happy in London.
Leno revealed he is happy in London and is not looking to move back to the German top-flight
When asked about a return to Germany: ‘Not yet, because I really like it in the Premier League and at Arsenal. Personally, I also think it’s great in London.
‘My wife feels good, everything fits. But at some point in the Bundesliga again: why not?’
Leno’s chances of making Germany’s European Championships squad this summer were boosted by the news that Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will miss the entire tournament through injury.
The Arsenal man will be competing with Manuel Neuer, Kevin Trapp and Oliver Baumann for one of the three goalkeeper spots in Joachim Low’s side.
