Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ‘really surprised’ as he hits back at Bernd Leno’s ‘politics’ jibe

Mikel Arteta has hit back at Bernd Leno after the goalkeeper claimed that ‘politics’ forced him out of Arsenal this summer. 

Leno moved to Fulham last month in a deal worth up to £8million after losing his spot as the Gunners’ No 1 to Aaron Ramsdale. 

But the 30-year-old has since claimed that being dropped had nothing to do with his ability as a goalkeeper, instead hinting at internal issues at the Emirates Stadium. 

Bernd Leno says he ‘had to get out’ of Arsenal, but because of ‘politics’ not performances

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he was taken aback by the German’s comments

‘When I realised that it wasn’t about performance or quality, I knew that I had to go,’ Leno told SPORT BILD via Fussball Transfers. ‘In preparation, I saw that it is not about performance, but only about politics. It was clear to me: I had to get out of here.’

Speaking at his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League opener against FC Zurich, Arteta admitted that he was taken aback by the German’s comments.

‘I’m really surprised, and I don’t know if he’s talking about the politics when he was starting every match, or the politics when he wasn’t playing,’ the Arsenal boss said. 

‘I’m really surprised about it.’ 

Leno moved to Fulham last month after losing his spot as Arsenal’s No 1 to Aaron Ramsdale

The German joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 and was first choice for three years

Leno joined Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in 2018 and was the club’s first choice goalkeeper for three years.  

However, he was dropped just three league games into last season following the arrival of Ramsdale and played just once more in the campaign. 

Arsenal’s signing of USA international Matt Turner this summer further increased competition between the sticks and Leno swiftly completed a move to Fulham, where he has established himself as No 1 and started the last four matches.