Sold for £3m, now worth 246% more: Edu made the biggest mistake in transfer history with Emery’s 6 ft 2 Arsenal star by selling Him for nothing, Arsenal can never find someone like Him again
Arsenal are one of the most famous clubs in all of English football, but also one that has had a renowned soft underbelly, especially during the later years of Arsene Wenger’s illustrious reign.
The Frenchman led his club to three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups, with that glittering success wrapped in a beautiful play style that arguably revolutionised the division.
His methods were unlike anything England had ever seen, and as such he pushed all those around him to emulate his success.
Mikel Arteta is the latest head coach tasked with recapturing some semblance of the 73-year-old’s legendary tenure, but will also be keen to rid the north London side of that weakness in both mentality and physicality that has held them back against more aggressive opponents like Manchester United in the past, and Liverpool more recently.
Fortunately, his cut-throat start to life at the Emirates suggested his leadership would be unlike anything they had seen since Wenger’s departure, with the 41-year-old’s willingness to sacrifice star names unparalleled. Players such as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette all fell fowl of his and Edu’s revolution, despite their respective talents and what they had offered in the past.
Another who was ruthlessly shown the exit door was Bernd Leno, who despite being on a far smaller scale than that trio, was still a questionable departure at the time. His performances since leaving have only exacerbated that notion.
How good is Bernd Leno?
Having joined from Bayer Leverkusen after enjoying a number of outstanding seasons in his homeland, the German international marked a huge acquisition to usher in a new era of goalkeeping.
A sensational shot-stopper with the capability to keep opposition strikers silent with his cat-like reflexes, it took no time at all for the 31-year-old to take to English football. This was especially important given the year before they were forced to endure an entire term with Petr Cech in between the sticks, with the ageing legend having overseen a dramatic downturn in form.
Wenger craved some fresh energy in goal, and in Leno, he had certainly found it.
Whilst his first year was admirable, the second arguably marked an apex for his time at the Emirates, having managed a 7.11 average rating, buoyed by his 3.8 saves per game, via Sofascore. Such reliance on the 6 foot 2 titan would become a theme throughout his time in England, which has certainly been extended to his stint with Fulham too.
That move would come about following an unfortunate injury sustained in 2020, as a challenge by Brighton and Hove Albion’s Neal Maupay saw the goalkeeper leave the field on a stretcher, writhing in pain. This allowed Emiliano Martinez to take his starting spot for the remainder of the campaign, thus kickstarting one of football’s most ridiculous Butterfly Effect moments as the Argentine went on to become a national team regular, before playing a key role in their recent World Cup win.
Although Leno would survive for one more season following, it marked his last as number one, with Aaron Ramsdale then recruited in his place.
A move to Craven Cottage would beckon, where he has since established himself as one of the division’s finest shot-stoppers. This term has seen the nine-cap star average a 7.50 rating in the Premier League, managing a whopping 4.1 saves per game, via Sofascore.
Although Arteta would likely not regret his decision to bring in the former Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth star, given both he and David Raya are likely far better-suited to his current squad, there must be a pang of frustration at the fee recouped from his sale.
After all, in the eyes of Marco Silva, Leno is now “he is one of the best two goalkeepers in this competition.”
How much did Arsenal sign Bernd Leno for?
Given the interest surrounding the former Stuttgart star, his acquisition was always bound to be tricky to navigate without breaking the bank.
After all, his move did come after he was in the conversation to be the best in his role within the Bundesliga, which was an argument their official website even posed.
