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How did Bernd Leno do on Arsenal debut against Vorskla Poltava?

Goalkeeper made his bow in Arsenal's 4-2 Europa League win

Bernd Leno warming up for Arsenal against Vorskla before their Europa League  game

Bernd Leno made his long-awaited Arsenal debut in the team's 4-2 win over Vorskla Poltava at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday evening.

The entertainment was provided by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, scorer of two goals on the night, but much of the intrigue was provided by the sight of a new man between the posts.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper was signed for £22.5m from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and many had expected the Germany international to be installed as first choice.

Instead, Leno has had to bide his time on the bench as understudy to veteran Petr Cech, before finally getting his opportunity.

So how did he do? Here, we assess his debut display…

Bernd Leno warms up before Arsenal's Europa League game against Vorskla Plotava
Image: Leno had more to do in the warm-up than in the game against Vorskla Poltava

How did his first touch of the ball go?

Leno drew cheers from the crowd in just the second minute of the game with his very first touches of the ball. A quick goal-kick was played out to the left and when he received the return pass, he clipped a fine pass into the centre of the pitch to put Arsenal on the attack.

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Was his distribution good after that?

Most of Leno's work was simple. He pinged one early goal-kick out to the right flank for Stephan Lichtsteiner and midway through the first half he turned away from the striker before calmly picking out Lucas Torreira in midfield. It was straightforward but nicely done.

Could he have kept out Vorskla's goals?

There was not much that Leno could do about them. A clean sheet - Arsenal's first of the season - had looked inevitable but Lichtsteiner dallied on the ball to allow Volodymyr Chesnakov to slap a shot high into the net. It was struck far too well for Leno to be able to keep it out.

The second went in courtesy of Vyacheslav Sharpar with literally the final kick of the game. Again, it was certainly not an error. And yet, the result of it is that Leno's debut ended with the unwanted statistic that he has currently conceded more goals than he has made saves in an Arsenal shirt.

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So there were no saves of note then?

Such was the Gunners' dominance, there was remarkably little else for Leno to do other than pick the ball out of his net. Vorskla had one attempt on target in the first half - a low shot from Pavlo Rebenok in the 18th minute that was comfortable for him to deal with.

Anything that he could have done better?

Leno might have come to claim a cross that was lofted into his box midway through the second half but he stayed on his line. However, that would be being picky. Short of rushing out and playing in midfield there was little more he could do to get involved in the action.

So did Unai Emery learn anything here?

It was a quiet debut so it will have told the manager little that he did not already know, but at least Leno has been able to properly introduce himself to the Emirates crowd. If Emery persists with Cech against Everton then the next chance will be against Brentford on Wednesday.

Leno's debut action

2 – Plays a one-two and then chips a ball into midfield to the crowd’s delight

10 – Pings another goal-kick out to Stephan Lichtsteiner who is fouled

18 – Handles comfortably from an optimistic shot by Pavlo Rebenok

24 – Neat touch takes the ball away from the striker before picking out a pass

35 – Routine pass out to his left with Arsenal now one up and in total control

45+2 – Comes forward to claim a through-ball before rolling the ball out

51 – Forced to hit a longer pass that almost results in an Arsenal goal

65 – Stays on his line when a cross is lofted towards his six-yard box

77 – GOAL! Beaten by a left-footed shot high into the top corner of the net

90+3 - GOAL! Fast break from the visitors ends with him being beaten again

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