Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal ace Bernd Leno warns Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari after signing in January
Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno has issued a warning to the club's January signings Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari.
Arsenal announce new signing Pablo Mari
Arsenal star Bernd Leno has had to deal with a seemingly continuously changing back four ahead of him this season, as the Gunners struggle to deal with injuries. And while boss Mikel Arteta has managed to add Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari to his squad in the January window, the German goalkeeper has warned them they cannot waste time adjusting to life the club.
The Gunners have struggled at both ends of the field in the Premier League this season.
After 25 games they have only found the back of the net 32 times and have conceded 34 goals.
Arteta had spoken about strengthening several areas of his squad, but with limited finances and injuries in defence his priorities for the January transfer window changed.
Calum Chambers is out with a season-ending injury after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and could be out for up to nine months.
JUST IN: Ed Woodward plans £25m Man Utd transfer, Liverpool £290k double deal, Chelsea, Arsenal
Arsenal are also not expecting Kieran Tierney to return until March and Sead Kolasinac is managing his recovery from an ankle problem.
Arteta brought in Soares from Southampton in a loan deal where Arsenal paid the Saints £5million for a player who is set to be a free agent in the summer.
Along with the right-back’s arrival last month the north London club also agreed a £12m deal with Flamengo for centre-back Pablo Mari.
DON’T MISS
Arsenal staff left questioning Cedric Soares transfer because of one issue [TRANSFER NEWS]
Chelsea star Kepa shocked by Lampard axe with keeper set to be offered escape route [TEAM NEWS]
Man Utd slammed over Odion Ighalo transfer as Ed Woodward and Glazers questioned [TRANSFER NEWS]
Arsenal paid the Brazilian club a £4m loan fee for Mari, and have the option to make the move permanent for an additional £8m in the summer.
And while Leno admitted he doesn’t know either player he hopes both of them can settle in quickly.
“I don’t know the players, but I think they have the quality to join Arsenal,” Leno said.
“With them we have more options.
“Mari is left footed, so as a centre-back that is a good option.
“Hopefully they adapt very quickly to Arsenal.”
Fortunately for Arsenal's new signings the Premier League has its first winter break this season.
The Gunners have decided to use this time to have a training camp in Dubai, ahead of their next match at the Emirates against Newcastle United on February 16.
Arteta is hoping to use this break as an opportunity to not only integrate his new signings but also build closer relationships within his squad.
"It's good to go away," Arteta said. "The players have been through a lot.
"The last two or three months have been tough for them, so I want to give them a few days off. Then we're going to go to Dubai, start working and focus on Newcastle.”