In an unusual and dull transfer window due to the pandemic, Arsenal have secured the services of Mat Ryan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Mat Ryan joins the Gunners on a temporary deal which will see the Aussie spend the second half of the season at the Emirates.
After loaning out Sead Kolasinac and parting ways with Mesut Ozil and Sokratis, spots were up for grabs in the squad. The Emirates outfit have no able deputies for Bernd Leno and the Geman had to carry on between the sticks despite having an injury.
Runar Alex Runarsson was given a nod ahead of Leno in a cup game against Manchester City but the Iceland international failed to impress. Also, the sloppy performance resulted in a defeat for the Gunners. Mikel Arteta has plans to loan out Runarsson as reported in multiple outlets.
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"Arsenal are willing to let goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson leave the club on loan in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old joined Arsenal in last summer’s transfer window from Ligue 1 side Dijon for £1.5 million.(Via: Athletic)"
Arsenal felt the huge void left by Emiliano Martinez, who joined Aston Villa in search of more game time. With Graham Potter preferring Robert Sanchez over Mat Ryan, the Gunners pounced on the situation to bring in the Australian from the Seagulls.
The club statement read:
"Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan is joining us on loan for the remainder of the season from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 28-year-old international has made 124 appearances since signing for the south-coast side in 2017.(Via: Arsenal.com)"
Since his arrival from Genk, Mat Ryan featured 124 times for the South Coast side before joining the North London outfit.
Also, he has 54 national caps for Australi and has featured twice in the FIFA World Cup, in 2014 and 2018. He also won the Best Goalkeeper award with the Kangaroos in the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
Mikel Arteta, the gaffer, sounded positive over the loan signing, He said:
"We know Mat very well through his performances with Brighton in recent seasons and he brings additional quality to our squad."
Arsenal sign Mat Ryan on loan until the end of the season.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) January 22, 2021
Arteta: “We know Mat very well through his performances with Brighton in recent seasons and he brings additional quality to our squad. Mat has very good Premier League experience and has played over 100 times." pic.twitter.com/mfRdqLK2Td
According to recent reports, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on loan.