Bernd Leno has warned Arsenal that they must improve their defence individually and tactically if they are to find a way back into the top four.
Unai Emery’s side conceded 51 goals in the Premier League last season, with a disastrous four-game winless run in the closing stages of the campaign seeing them blow a Champions League qualification place that seemed to be theirs for the taking.
A humbling 4-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Europa League final ended Arsenal’s last shot of getting back into the top four and was reflective of their season as individual errors at the back cost them dearly.
It is a failing Leno warned cannot be repeated in the coming season.
“We know the reasons. We conceded too many easy goals. We had big chances to win all the games.
“The performance in most of the games was good but we didn’t win the games and that made the difference.
“Tactically we need to improve. It was on a good level but we still can improve this problem.
“After 38 games it was not good enough. The manager is doing a very good job to see where we need to improve. It takes time and hopefully this season it’s going to be better.”
Emery’s bid to improve the defence has not been aided by a severely constrained transfer budget of just £45million. So far only young forward Gabriel Martinelli has been added to the squad.
Arsenal are confident of securing the signature of Kieran Tierney but have seen a second bid knocked back by Celtic, who are holding firm with their £25million demands.
For those already at the club the spectre of a third season in the Europa League is hovering menacingly. Nacho Monreal yesterday acknowledged the financial imperative of getting back to Europe’s top table.
Leno said: “Arsenal belongs in the Champions League. It was very disappointing that we didn’t reach that target again.
“We know about our quality. It was very close. The Europa League final was not a good game, but it was not only one match. At the end of the season we lost too many games.
“It was a small difference but that is what decides if you go to the Champions League or the Europa League.”
Leno will begin the 2019/20 season as Arsenal’s undisputed No.1 having taken the number of the newly retired Petr Cech. The German won the battle with the veteran goalkeeper to be Emery’s first-choice early last season and was among the Gunners’ most impressive performers.
“I think my personal performance was good, although I think I can still improve. I am working very hard to do that.
“At the end of course it was not a very good season for us because we didn’t reach our targets.
“But for me it was a very good season to come to the best league in the world and show my performances. Now I know the Premier League works, how the team works and how the club works.
“I am excited for the next season.”
