Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has turned down a call-up from Germany for the October international break, and former Arsenal goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, says he would have done the same.

The decision, which followed an invitation by Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann, came after Leno was informed he wouldn’t feature on the pitch.

Speaking to Bild, Leno explained: “They told me I would be there, but that I wouldn’t get a game. That’s why I decided to train in London. Julian knows that I’m always there when they need me and that I can really help the team. I’ve never put demands on Manuel (Neuer) and Marc (Ter Stegen), I’ve always delivered and never made jokes.” Leno’s comments suggest a desire for meaningful involvement, rather than merely filling out the squad.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who currently plays for Fulham, would likely have been involved in Germany’s Euro 2024 plans were it not for a recent injury setback.

He was a regular squad member over the past year, but has not made an appearance for the national team since September 2021, and has played only six times since his initial call-up in 2015.

The protracted wait has seemingly tested Leno’s patience, leading him to decide that, without a chance to play, staying in London was a better option.

Yet Leno insists he hasn’t closed the door on the national team entirely, telling Bild: “It will always be a great honour for me to play for the national team and that remains the goal.” After extensive experience across the Bundesliga, Premier League, and international football, Leno remains an option Germany can rely on if called upon.

This month, with Manuel Neuer now retired and Marc-Andre ter Stegen injured, Nagelsmann opted for Alexander Nübel from VfB Stuttgart and Oliver Baumann from TSG Hoffenheim to share goalkeeping duties for the Nations League matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Netherlands.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, however, has come out in defence of Leno’s choice to turn down the call-up, describing it as a reasonable response under the circumstances.

When asked by Bild who he thought should be Germany’s number one in the absence of Neuer and ter Stegen, Lehmann was clear: “Clearly: Bernd Leno. I would have done the same if I were him. I assumed that Leno and ter Stegen would compete for the number one spot after Manuel Neuer’s retirement.”

Lehmann added that Leno’s experience at Fulham in the Premier League, a league he described as “the most demanding in the world”, should have made Leno a strong contender for the national team.

Lehmann also hinted at his frustration with the German Football Association (DFB), saying, “I’m surprised at how things are going at the DFB now. But on the other hand, I’m not surprised either.”