---
title: "Mustafi lauds Leno as ‘brilliant’"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2018/08/22/mustafi-lauds-leno-as-brilliant/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Features"
published: "2018-08-22T18:24:17Z"
modified: "2018-08-22T18:24:17Z"
---

# Mustafi lauds Leno as ‘brilliant’

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi has hailed the Gunners’ new signing Bernd Leno as a “brilliant goalkeeper”, [FourFourTwo](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/modern-keeper-leno-gets-mustafi-backing) reports.

The German international was full of praise for his compatriot, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium during the summer transfer window for just under £20m from Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Leno has not yet featured in Arsenal’s first-team, with Unai Emery opting to start the more experienced Petr Cech between the sticks in fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea so far this season.

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1018813904.jpg)

Arsenal allowed David Ospina to complete a loan switch to Napoli on the final day of the Italian transfer window, ensuring that Leno and Cech would be the two goalkeepers battling it out for a starting berth.

Leno has not yet started a competitive fixture for Arsenal, but this has not stopped Mustafi from lauding his new teammate.

> I know Bernd very well because we played together since the Under-15s German team, so I have known him for a long time. He is a brilliant goalkeeper. He has everything a modern keeper needs: good feet, good hands and he has personality.

The 26-year-old will be hoping that he is handed his debut by Emery when the Gunners lock horns with West Ham at the Emirates Stadium this weekend.