Bernd Leno has hit out over his treatment at Arsenal and the "politics" which left him with no option but to "get out of here".
The goalkeeper, 30, left the Gunners after four years this summer to join Premier League rivals Fulham in a deal worth up to £8million. Leno was first-choice shot-stopper throughout much of his stint in North London but lost his place to Aaron Ramsdale early last season following the Englishman's arrival from Sheffield United.
Leno did not mask his frustration at being dropped and, speaking last autumn, insisted the reasons behind his loss of No.1 status were not related to his performances on the pitch. In a fresh verbal barrage aimed at Arsenal, he has doubled down on those comments in no uncertain terms.
"When I realised that it wasn't about performance or quality, I knew I had to go," the German told BILD Sport, per Sportbuzzer. "During the preparation, I saw that it's not about performance, it's just about politics. It was clear to me: I have to get out of here."
Leno appears to have hardened his stance against Arsenal after previously declaring it had been a "pleasure" to walk out at the Emirates in a heartfelt message to fans. He wrote on Twitter : "Hey @Arsenal fans, it's time to move on for me. It's been a pleasure to be part of this great football club for 4 amazing years. Thank you very much for your support. Also a big thank you to my team mates and the staff behind the team. I'm looking forward to see you soon!"
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Since joining Fulham, Leno has conceded seven goals and is yet to keep a clean sheet in any of his four Premier League outings. That being said, he has made an eye-catching 19 saves to help the Cottagers to 10th in the table - an impressive position for a newly-promoted side, albeit at this early stage of the campaign.
Leno has earned nine caps for Germany but the last of these came back in 2021 as he has slipped down the pecking order for his country, just as he did at Arsenal. The former Bayer Leverkusen 'keeper confessed he also was motivated to leave Arsenal to secure the regular football which could allow him to force his way into the Germany squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter.
"It's up to me to get the focus of the national team back," Leno added. Germany manager Hansi Flick has favoured Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer, Eintracht Frankfurt's Kevin Trapp and Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann in his recent squads.
