Bundesliga Football Writer Mark Lovell gives me his thoughts on Leno

German Bundesliga football writer and correspondent Mark Lovell gives his honest views on Goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who has tonight joined Arsenal. Enjoy!

CD: First of all, thank you for kindly agreeing to do this interview with me and answer some questions regarding Bernd Leno. So, with official confirmation of the transfer tonight, what sort of player will the club be getting? 

ML: Leno at 26 has been keen to move for a while and test himself abroad, making the next step in his career at a bigger club. His dream was to play for Real Madrid but the sway of the Premier League ultimately wins the day. He’ll be joining a club at a similar level (Europa League) but with much higher expectations and massive history.

CD: What would you say his strengths and weaknesses are?

ML: Strengths - A great (close range) shot stopper with fantastic reflexes, possessing decent kicking skills and distribution. He is Calm, focused and disciplined, never been sent off in his professional career.

While I realise this has gone out of modern goalkeeping skillset, Leno hardly ever comes for crosses and often punches when it seems easier to actually catch the ball. Also, I would like him to be more vocal and command his area with more authority, he lacks the presence and aura of former Gunner Jens Lehmann. He is also beaten too often from long-distance shots in my opinion.

CD: What sort of season has Bernd had?

ML: He’s been distinctly average, 12 clean sheets in 33 games for an inconsistent Leverkusen side which missed out on Champions League qualification, finishing in fifth.

CD: The goalkeeper position is an area which the Arsenal fans have wanted to see strengthened for a while now, do you view this as a good move and one which could result in seeing an improvement between the sticks straight away?

ML: It would be foolish to write off Petr Cech and in the short term, Leno might even have to battle the Czech custodian for the coveted starting spot. With Sokratis, coupled with PEA and Mikhi last season, head scout Sven Mislintat, formerly of BVB, seems to be shopping regularly in the Bundesliga these days. There’s no immediate guarantee of improvement as all the new signings, including Lichtsteiner (a decent signing) will take time to settle in the glare of the Premier League.

CD: Leno has made over 200 club appearances in the Bundesliga, has plenty of Champions League experience and has also represented his country whilst still only being 26, just how highly is he regarded in Germany?

ML: Leno is respected as a capable glovesman but there was little sympathy after his omittance from the WC Squad after a couple of clangers in last year’s Confed Cup campaign for Germany. Furthermore, Germany has the world’s best goalkeeper in Manuel Neuer so all other keepers generally tend to pale into significance - even the brilliant MATS of Barcelona.

CD: When you've watched Leno in the past, what would you say impressed you the most about him?

ML: To be honest, I’m not his biggest fan and there are many better, cheaper keepers on the market. One plus point in his favour though, he is remarkably injury resistant, having only missed a handful of games through injury in recent seasons and has a decent penalty saving record.

CD: As well as being one of the best in his position in Germany, it seems as if Leno is familiar with making a few costly mistakes - he is the second highest player who has committed errors leading to an opposition goal (9) since the start of the 2015/16 Bundesliga season. It's difficult not to be a little concerned about this statistic, I think a few fans are worried he's similar to Karius. whats your take on it?

ML: After Karius’ calamities it’s inevitable that any German keeper will be compared to poor Loris. I also think there are better goalkeepers in the Bundesliga - for example the man replacing him at Leverkusen, Lukas Hradecky coming from Frankfurt on a free transfer. Or Arsenal could have even brought back Fabianski from relegated Swansea, who seemed to be a decent keeper whenever called upon by Arsene Wenger.

CD: Although Leverkusen have been playing champions league football in recent years and have a decent squad, are you surprised another top European club haven't come in for Leno sooner? 

ML: There were fleeting rumours of Bayern Munich interest when Neuer got injured but understudy Sven Ulreich filled in mostly brilliantly during Neuer’s long absence. Arsenal seemed to have a pretty free run at getting their man, with only reported interested from Napoli and Atletico Madrid.

CD: Leno just missed out on being included in Germany's World Cup Squad, was he unlucky not to get in or was it the right call?

ML: It was the right call once Neuer recovered fitness. Ter Stegen is a quality back up and there’s nothing between Trapp and Leno, who let’s face it as third-choice, isn’t going to play anyway and is only there to help put out the cones.

CD: Finally, overall and in your personal opinion...is this a signing Arsenal fans should be excited about and how well do you expect him to do in England?

ML: Sorry, Arsenal fans certainly shouldn’t get too carried away with this signing. I hope Leno proves me absolutely wrong, but I do fear there’s a few high-profile mistakes in his locker as Arsenal’s new look defence including Sokratis and Lichtsteiner, taking their time to gel next season.

Once again, I thank Mark for taking the time to do this interview with me, he's certainly given us a very detailed and honest read. In my opinion, Leno will be a decent addition and i think he is a player that will keep improving.