Mikel Arteta has rubbished reports Bernd Leno reacted badly after being dropped for Arsenal-s recent 1-0 win over Norwich, insisting the goalkeeper has responded like a -top professional- in training.
Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal from Sheffield United last month, started between the sticks as club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired the north London club to a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Emirates last weekend.
Ramsdale is still yet to concede a goal in Arsenal-s colours after coming away with a clean sheet on his debut in the side-s 6-0 win over West Brom in the Carabao Cup and the Englishman is pushing to continue his run in the side away to Burnley on Saturday.
However, speaking ahead of the Gunners- trip to Turf Moor, Arsenal head coach Arteta refused to reveal which -keeper would be given the nod to face Sean Dyche-s Burnley.
-It-s the same in every position. We want them to make each other better,- the Spaniard told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Thursday.
-We are competing against the opponent and we are not competing against each other here.
We-re just trying to bring players that can raise the level of the players that play in the position, the level of the team, the level of the club and this is the only -reason.
-Obviously, for Bernd, it wasn-t a pleasing communication when I told him that he wasn-t playing but he-s a top professional and a top person and he should be disappointed and he should support his team-mates like they have all done with him every time he-s played. And that-s exactly what he-s done.-
Reports emanating from Germany have suggested Arteta plans to use Leno for Arsenal-s upcoming north London derby clash with Tottenham - which follows their trip to Burnley - but Arteta was quick to play down the recent rumours.