Arsenal keeper blasted after loss to Southampton

Roy Keane and Graeme Souness have blasted Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno after his mistake against Southampton cost the Gunners dearly by ending their 22-game unbeaten run.The summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen totally misjudged a late cross as he flapped hopelessly at the ball before Charlie Austin headed home. The goal proved to be the winner for the Saints as they prevailed 3-2 at St Mary’s yesterday. And it saw Arsenal lose for the first time in all competitions since way back in August.

The Gunners’ impressive unbeaten run finally came to an end and fans were left frustrated given the circumstances. Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Graeme Souness put the blame squarely at the keeper’s feet. But it was Leno’s actions after the final whistle which further riled Keane. The Manchester United legend hit out at the German for laughing and joking on the field with Austin off the back of his blunder between the sticks.

On Leno, Keane said: “It’s poor decision-making. As soon as it leaves Shane’s foot you’re thinking, he’s in trouble here. He’s having a good chat about it afterwards but he shouldn’t, he should be straight down that tunnel and hanging his head. They talk about the steel in this Arsenal team. I still have huge doubts about this defence.”Ex-Liverpool and Southampton manager Souness also lamented Leno for his late error in goal. He added: “You’ve got to have a close look at the goalkeeper here. He makes his mind up to go for it but having been at the near post, it’s totally the wrong decision for the goalkeeper to make – to go from the near post to the far post. He should have backed on to his line here. It’s not a great ball, that’s what’s tempted him.”

Petr Cech is expected to get his chance ahead of Leno on Wednesday when Arsenal host neighbours Tottenham in their crunch Carabao Cup quarter-final clash.