Bernd Leno believes his fatal mistake in Arsenal’s defeat at Southampton on Sunday was “a little bit unlucky”.
The Gunners’ 22-game unbeaten run came crashing to a halt at St Mary’s, with Charlie Austin scoring a late winner in a 3-2 victory for the hosts.
Leno got nowhere near the cross that led to Austin’s strike, though, leading to much criticism after the game.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Leno claimed it was a touch unfortunate, adding that it is part and parcel of being a goalkeeper:
The last goal was a little bit unlucky for me because I wanted to get the cross because Austin was completely free and it was so close,” he said.
I touched the ball a little bit but I missed it so it was a little bit unlucky. No risk, no fun.
Maybe next time I will get the ball or I will stay on the line look at the ball and nobody says ‘you came out and didn’t get the ball’.
That’s the life of a goalkeeper but I would do it again.
Leno is yet to wholly convince in the Arsenal goal, having arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
There have been good moments, without question, but he hasn’t consistently been the imposing presence Unai Emery was no doubt looking for.
Arsenal host Tottenham in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night, with Leno hoping to bounce back in style.
