Bernd Leno had the chance to do Arsenal a massive favour today and, well, he failed.
The Germany international was sold by Mikel Arteta and Edu to Fulham for £8 million this past summer [ES].
And the former Arsenal goalkeeper had a golden opportunity to not only earn a point for the Cottagers, but deny three for his old club’s Premier League title rivals.
Ten-man Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory over Marco Silva’s side this afternoon.
Erling Haaland struck a last-minute penalty to seal the victory for City but, on reflection, Leno should’ve done much better.
He guessed the right way but Haaland’s moderately-hit penalty squirmed beneath him.
Leno absolutely should’ve saved his team – and helped Arsenal in the process – and here’s what Nedum Onouhua said on Football Focus [5/11, 5:03]: “Oh my word! It went into the goalkeeper’s right but Erling Haaland mishit it. He hits it slower than he probably wanted to. Bernd Leno has overread it and jumped on the top of it.”
Consequence of Haaland’s penalty – and Leno’s gaffe – Pep Guardiola’s side are back above Arsenal in the Premier League table.
The North Londoners are now one point behind their rivals, but a victory away to Chelsea tomorrow would see them climb back above the Sky Blues.
Winning titles is about moments like this and hopefully for Arsenal, they aren’t looking back at this penalty come May as a deciding moment.
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