Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno admits it was difficult to leave Bayer Leverkuson last summer.

Leno has now played in the Gunners' last five matches, with manager Unai Emery's side extending their current winning run to nine.

"I loved my time at Leverkusen and I was living my dream," the goalkeeper told Arsenal's official website.

"I had played for Germany too and to be honest I didn't think things could get much better, but then I found out that Arsenal were interested in me.

"I was very excited and very nervous too because Arsenal is such a big club with a big history and great fans.

"Playing in the Premier League was a very exciting prospect for me too, and fortunately I already knew a few of the players.

"I've known Musti for about 10 or 11 years because we grew up together in the youth national teams, the under-17s through to the under-21s.

"I had played with Mesut for Die Mannschaft too, and I also knew Granit, Auba and Micki from the Bundesliga, so it's funny to see us all together at Arsenal now.

"Before I made my decision I talked to Musti and Mesut about it a lot.

"They both said that Arsenal is a big club and that I would love it here."