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Unai Emery hails Bernd Leno contribution after helping Arsenal maintain unbeaten run against Wolves

Leno key as Gunners rescued a point: Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Leno key as Gunners rescued a point: Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Unai Emery acknowledged Arsenal needed a major contribution from Bernd Leno in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves… and they certainly got it.

The German goalkeeper, who appears to have clearly wrestled the role of first-choice between the posts from Petr Cech, made four crucial saves as Arsenal held Wolves to a one goal lead from the 13th to 86th minutes at the Emirates Stadium, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan cancelled out Ivan Cavaleiro’s opener with a cross that evaded everyone in the box, including Rui Patricio.

Leno made another crucial contribution before the end, denying Adama Traore at close range after the substitute had burst clear of Rob Holding.

“We knew that today we needed the goalkeeper with his performance, because when we are taking risks in our attacking moments, and to give them a transition and options in the transitional moments we would need the goalkeeper,” Emery said.

“Today I thought his performance was good for us.”

A point was perhaps more than Arsenal had merited, with their expected goals at 1.0 compared to the 2.4 Wolves according to Caley Graphics.

Leno’s fine first-half saves, particularly a sprawling dive to deny Helder Costa’s curling effort, kept Arsenal in the contest and he admitted the newly-promoted side had offered a tough test for the Gunners.

“It was a hard game for us, in the first half we didn’t play our best and in the second half we had many chances and Wolverhampton had some chances as well,” Leno said.

“They were very deep and had fast players for the counter attack so it was very difficult for us.

“It was a difficult start because we conceded so it was easier for Wolverhampton to defend and they played on the counter so it was more difficult."