Bernd Leno arrives for Arsenal training and takes No 19 shirt as German begins fight with Petr Cech for starting spot
Ex-Bayer Leverkusen keeper was not part of Germany's disastrous World Cup campaign and has reported from pre-season training with new team-mates
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.
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.
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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.