Mikel Arteta may have dropped a hint over Bernd Leno's Arsenal future with his team selection for the Gunners' pre-season match against Nurnberg.
The German keeper has fallen out of favour at the Emirates since the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale last summer and played just four matches in the league last season.
Leno wasn't even named amongst the subs for Arsenal's match against their Bundesliga.2 opponents and football.london understands that he is close to completing a move across the capital to newly promoted Fulham.
READ MORE: Arsenal confirmed line-up vs Nurnberg: Turner makes debut, Pepe starts, Gabriel Jesus benched
New signing Gabriel Jesus started on the bench for Arteta's side, with Hector Bellerin captaining the side following a successful loan season at Real Betis last year.
Arteta is trying to make extra funds available this summer and Leno has been deemed surplus to requirements, with the keeper understood to be happy with the chance to stay in London. His agent, Joannis Koukoutrigas, also admitted that his client had suitors, saying: "Fulham is trying hard to get Bernd."
With 27-year-old Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson occupying the backup slot for the friendly, and new signing Matt Turner starting, it doesn't look like the German goalkeeper will be getting a final run out for the Gunners.
He is a part of a strong travelling squad to the four day tour. It is as of yet unknown if he will fly out with the rest of the squad that travels to the States for their second international tour of pre-season on July 13, where they will face Everton, Orlando City and Chelsea.
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