Bernd Leno has taken aim at his own teammates for the recent slump in form in the Premier League.
Prior to the draw at home to Southampton, the German spoke to Sky Sports Germany as he lambasted his teammate’s energy and attitude on the pitch.
Leno said: “If you look at how we sometimes walked around on the pitch, then the only fault lies with the players. I have to say that honestly. We get red cards, make mistakes, are disorganised. These are things that we have clearly addressed a thousand times. In the end, that’s a lack of focus among the players.” (via Sky Sports Germany)
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In all honesty, a public dressing down of your own teammates won’t do much to lift their spirits or confidence for the remainder of the season. Whilst you can’t fault the shot-stopper over the opinion he is voicing, he needs to do his dirty laundry behind the scenes as opposed to in full view of the general public.
Arsenal are currently on a run of no win in six Premier League games, and you can’t imagine the rest of the squad will be too happy about Leno’s comments. If anything his quotes are more likely to cause rifts within the squad.
And it’s not like the Germany international has been at his best this season. If you’re going to call out your teammates for their lack of effort than you have to make sure you yourself are performing to a high standard and that can’t be said.
Leno has looked suspect this season with his performance away to Rapid Vienna the standout of what has been an average season for the £28.8m-rated ace.
Are his comments true? Yes, but, will it solve the issues? Of course not. Being smarter is better than being louder. Leno needs to help pick his teammate up during a spell of torrid form as opposed to drag them down.
In other news, Arsenal have been linked with this Liga NOS young gun.
