Should Arsenal sell Bernd Leno to Fulham

Should Arsenal sell Bernd Leno to Fulham 

By Jonny Bra
When Aaron Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United last summer, many thought he was set to be the second choice. 
The 24-year-old had not set the world alight at the Blades and had divided opinion during his time with Bournemouth. 
There had been murmurs among the press that Bernd Leno wanted out of North London, but few believed the German would leave or that Ramsdale would become our long-term first choice.
But the England international hit the ground running and immediately displaced his highly-rated German counterpart.
Now, Ramsdale is comfortably the club's first choice.
And with United States national team goalkeeper Matt Turner joining from MLS side New England Revolution during the summer, Leno could find first-team football hard to come by next season.
So, should Arsenal sell Bernd Leno to Fulham? 
Or could he still help Mikel Arteta's side as the season progresses? 

Arsenal should sell Leno

Arsenal need to cash in on Leno while they still can, or they risk missing out on another significant transfer fee. 
In the past, out-of-favour stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Özil have been able to leave the club for free. 
It hurts the club's ability to reinvest in the squad and needs to stop. 
Selling Leno to Fulham this summer will ensure that the club get a transfer fee for the German international. 
He also clearly wants to leave the club. 
The Gunners need to stop paying weekly wages to players that simply do not want to be there. 

Arsenal should not sell Leno

Leno may be out of favour at the Emirates but he has performed whenever he has been given an opportunity in the first team. 
He was widely regarded as one of the club's biggest assets when he joined from Bayer Leverkusen.
Since joining the club, he has made 101 Premier League appearances, recording a solid 25 clean sheets in that time. 
He was also playing behind some pretty shocking defenders during that period, but Leno didn't let that lower his high standards. 
Turner could prove to be excellent cover for Ramsdale - but what if he isn't?
Keeping Leno as second or third choice, against his wishes or otherwise, just means the Gunners will have a backup if the MLS star cannot make the transition to the Premier League. 
Plenty of players have struggled to make that switch in the past, and with so much riding on this season for the club and Arteta, it is clear that Leno still offers something. 

Conclusion 

Arsenal need to invest in other areas of the pitch. 
Ramsdale and Turner should be fine without Leno unless disaster strikes.
But Arteta's side is weak in central midfield and at full-back. 
If the Gunners are going to challenge at the top of the Premier League table this year, then they still need cover in those positions. 
And Leno is one of the few fringe players at the club who could still generate a significant fee. 
Photo Credit: Getty Images

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