Bernd Leno talks about his rivalry with Petr Cech for a starting place

The goalkeeper made his Arsenal debut against Vorskla Poltava

Arsenal completed the signing of Bernd Leno for a reported fee of around £19 million, signing a 5 year contract back in June. He was signed as a long term of successor of Petr Cech.

He was a mainstay for the German club in the past couple of seasons, making more than 300 appearances. He developed himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his time at Bundesliga.

The 26 year old was named in Germany’s provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but was not selected for the final 23-man squad.

It was expected that the Germany International will be the Gunners’ first choice goalkeeper this season but new manager Unai Emery has preferred Cech ahead of him in any of the Premier League fixtures so far.

However, the German goalkeeper made his debut against Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League on Thursday as the London Outfit won the 4-2, their fourth win in a row under the Spaniard.

Leno has admitted it has been a frustrating start to life at Arsenal but he is intending to build on his debut and feels ready to challenge Cech for a place in the starting XI.

Asked if he had been frustrated at being made to wait to make his debut, he replied as quoted by Daily Mail: ‘Of course, because I came to the club to play every game.

‘But I think to move to a bigger club, another country, it needs maybe a little bit of time. It is a little bit frustrating but I keep calm and work very hard to improve.

‘I think my performances in training are good. I train very hard and maybe it needs a little bit of time. I keep calm. My chance will come.

‘I came for the Premier League. I think it is the best league. The Bundesliga is good but the Premier League is better so I will look forward to playing anytime in the Premier League.’

‘The coach always makes the starting XI based on the performance,’ he adde.

‘I think it could change, not every week, but he will change a lot. He didn’t say the Premier League is Petr’s competition and the Europa League is mine. I will work hard every day to play more games.

‘We have fun together. We push each other and I think the competition with us is very good. We both can improve and it’s still going.

‘Of course, (Petr) is a big personality. He had a big career and is still a very good goalkeeper -it is very good to work with him and for my development it is very good to have the competition with him.’