Bernd Leno has admitted that he has struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League since joining Arsenal for £19m in the summer.

After a slow integration into the first team, the 26-year-old German has now cemented his position as the Gunners’ No 1 goalkeeper and made 25 appearances in all competitions.

Arsenal prepares to take on Bournemouth at the Emirates this evening, with the club one point clear of Manchester United in fourth, and Leno is confident he now has the full trust of his defence and manager.

“I am happy here, of course I needed a little bit of time to get used to new team-mates, a new league, new country, new football. Football here is different to Germany,” Leno told Sky Sports.

“Physically it is strong and the referees don’t whistle for every contact, I like this way, but it needed a little bit of time because in Germany you are always protected by the referee, but here nobody protects you and you have to get used to it.