Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has revealed that two players helped convince him to make the move to the Emirates over the summer.
Leno signed for the Gunners for a reported €22m fee from Bayer Leverkusen in June.
The German keeper was expected to become first-choice keeper but had to bide his time as head coach Unai Emery decided to stick with Petr Cech.
Leno has started the last two Premier League games following a hamstring injury to Cech and hopes to keep his place in the side with the Czech international out for the next few weeks.
The new arrival revealed that Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi played an important role in joining the North London based outfit this season.
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“Playing in the Premier League was a very exciting prospect for me too, and fortunately I already knew a few of the players,” he goalkeeper told Arsenal’s official website.
“I’ve known Musti for about 10 or 11 years because we grew up together in the youth national teams, the under-17s through to the under-21s.
“I had played with Mesut for Die Mannschaft too, and I also knew Granit, Auba and Micki from the Bundesliga, so it’s funny to see us all together at Arsenal now.
“Before I made my decision I talked to Musti and Mesut about it a lot.
“They both said that Arsenal is a big club and that I would love it here.
“I talked with my brother, my parents and my girlfriend, and they were all very excited for me.
“It was clear that I had to sign for Arsenal.”
Another assist for Ozil!
Leno has been called up for the German national team taking the place of Kevin Trapp, who is out with a muscle problem.
The German side will take on Netherlands and France in the UEFA Nations League.
Neither Mustafi nor Ozil were called up to the Germany national team over the international break and both are expected to be match fit for the first Arsenal game back against Leicester City.
