‘That’s what you want’: Jamie Redknapp wowed by £100k-a-week Arsenal ace

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Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has been praised by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp following his heroics for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in the League Cup on Thursday night.

Arteta kept his domestic cup record intact as a 0-0 draw against Liverpool preceded a penalty shootout, Leno the hero with two saves before Joe Willock scored the crucial kick.

Arsenal were eager to make amends against the Reds just three days after falling to a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in the Premier League, though as expected, both sides made widescale changes.

Jurgen Klopp’s charges had most of the possession throughout the game and weighed in with 16 shots, seven of them on target, as well as winning eight corners.

However, Leno’s efforts ensured the scoreline was evenly poised come the final whistle at the end of 90 minutes.

In the shootout, the German keeper guessed the right way to thwart Divock Origi – especially crucial given Mohamed Elneny had missed in the preceding spot kick – and Harry Wilson.

“We saw some big-game saves today and that’s what you want from your goalkeeper,” Redknapp said on Sky Sports (1/10, 21:58).

“He looked very calm and assured during the penalty shootout and that’s what you want from your No 1.”

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Leno was one of Arsenal’s standout players last season, though his absence at the tail end of the campaign saw Emiliano Martinez shine for the Gunners too.

With Martinez now at Aston Villa, there was criticism amongst some fans about Arsenal letting the Argentine leave, but Leno’s display against Liverpool showed exactly why the £100,000-a-week ace is worthy of the Gunners gloves.