MIKEL ARTETA has rejected Bernd Leno’s claims that he received ‘no clear reason’ as to why he has been dropped for Aaron Ramsdale.
The 29-year-old started the opening three Premier League games, but after conceding nine goals in the defeats, he has lost his No1 spot at the Emirates.
Summer arrival Ramsdale has starred since being given his chance, with the Gunners winning all three of their matches since his introduction in the line-up.
But despite the club’s good form, Leno has hit out at Arteta for axing him as he stated he will be forced to think about his future should his situation not change.
He told Bild: “There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance.
“He is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me.
“Only if nothing changes in my situation by winter would I have to think about things: what option do I have, how can I continue?
“I’m concentrating on my work in training; I can’t commit to anything else at the moment.”
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Arteta has since denied Leno’s claims that he was given no warning prior to being dropped for the clash against Norwich last month.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s away fixture at Brighton, the Spanish gaffer said: “I had a very clear conversation with him 48 hours before I was going to make the decision.
“Obviously any conversation I have with him is completely private and I’m not going to speak with any media about it.”
With Ramsdale in line to keep his spot against the Seagulls, Arteta has told Leno to keep working hard if he wishes to return to action.
Asked what he expects to see from the ex-Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper, he added: “The same that he’s done every single day.
“Train the way he does, be the way he is, the person he is, the way he handles himself, and try to help the other keepers and the other keepers try to help him.”
With Arsenal not competing in Europe for the first time in 25 years this season, Arteta has declared he is desperate for the club to be playing across the continent.
He remarked: “Maybe my family and kids are happy because they see me more, but I want to be playing in Europe and I want to be competing there, and every time I see the Champions League music my stomach hurts.
“It’s not something that I enjoy. We have to make the most out of it because we have more time during the week to prepare but certainly it’s not where we want to be.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
