Bernd Leno has admitted that he has struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League since joining Arsenal for £19m in the summer.
After a slow integration into the first team, the 26-year-old German has now cemented his position as the Gunners’ No 1 goalkeeper and made 25 appearances in all competitions.
Arsenal prepare to take on Bournemouth at the Emirates this evening, with the club one point clear of Manchester United in fourth, and Leno is confident he now has the full trust of his defence and manager.
“I am happy here, of course I needed a little bit of time to get used to new team-mates, a new league, new country, new football. Football here is different to Germany,” Leno told Sky Sports.
“Physically it is strong and the referees don’t whistle for every contact, I like this way, but it needed a little bit of time because in Germany you are always protected by the referee, but here nobody protects you and you have to get used to it.
“Arsenal is my second professional club in my career, and it was clear that it needed a little bit of time, but now I am settled in the club and I feel at home here.
“I get confidence from my team-mates, everybody accepts my personality and my quality and as a goalkeeper that is very important to have that confidence. I feel very comfortable in this team.
“Many things in the club have changed – new manager, some new team-mates and we play in a different way. For me and the team we needed time to try and trust each other and get a feeling for me as a ‘keeper with the defence.”
Leno also reserved praise for his predecessor, Petr Cech, who announced that he will retire at the end of this season.
“He helped me a lot from the very first day,” Leno continued.
“He is a very good guy as a person with an unbelievable career. I am impressed with him and how he works every day.
