Bernd Leno thinks the Manchester City game is a great way for Arsenal to get back to Premier League action because they have no choice but to start fast.

Bernd Leno of Arsenal applauds fans following his sides victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Arsenal applauds fans following his side’s victory on March 07, 2020. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Bernd Leno spoke to the DFB website this week about his thoughts on the current situation and the impending return of football.

Arsenal will feature in one of the two matches on June 17th to restart the Premier League season, travelling to Manchester City. Even behind-closed-doors, without any fans to cheer City on, it’s still going to prove a huge task to get a result for Arteta’s side.

All the same, Leno is relishing the opportunity to get underway against such strong opposition.

“It’s a great way to start because we have to go full throttle right from the off,” Leno said. “They’re an absolutely top team. It’ll be strange to play again after such a long time out and with such little time to prepare, but I’m optimistic about the rest of the season.”

Arsenal’s goal for the remainder of the league season is to get up into the European qualification places. Ideally, the Champions League, though they face a lot of competition in that regard. Leno thinks it’s about rediscovering their form from before the break.

” I hope we can get into Europe. We’re not ruling out the Champions League places because we might get it with just fifth place, given Man City’s possible ban.

“We were in decent form before the break. I just hope we can get back to that when we return and end up in a European spot.”

The Gunners are on a run of three consecutive league wins, and they haven’t lost a domestic game in 2020. Their only defeat was the disappointing Europa League exit to Olympiacos.

We just have to hope that setback allows the team to refocus and prepare for a strong finish.