Ryan Loan Makes Sense by Dan Smith
A few weeks ago I challenged Stan Kroenke to prove his ambition in this transfer window.
How would a Billionaire react to his club making their worst start in the Premiership era? I predicted we would slash the wage bill, only look for loans and the American would save money.
In comparison 12 months ago Man United purchased Fernandes.
While so far, I am being proven correct, I’m not going to critique a short-term deal if it makes sense. Signing Matt Ryan till the end of the season makes sense.
Thanks to the success of Ederson and Alisson in being good with their feet, it’s created a trend of managers now all wanting their keeper to be good on the ball so they can build from the back. That’s why we were trying to teach Cech a new way of playing the role the year he retired.
It’s led to the position being over complicated, an obsession with if a goalie could or couldn’t pass a ball, instead of focusing on what they could do with their hands.
It’s believed that is why scouts had given Runarsson such a glowing report is his confidence in possession.
That’s redundant when you are punching free kicks into your own net and just standing still for crosses.
Of course Arteta won’t be giving up on the 25-year-old after one bad game but clearly feels he’s not yet ready to be back up to Leno.
Keepers don’t hit their prime till they are in their thirties so the Icelandic international has time on his side. A loan away will be part of his development (and fund Ryan’s salary).
With Ryan what you see is what you get. He’s a proven shot stopper which is his job.
Arsenal don’t need a number 2 who can pick a pass, they just require someone who can be trusted if called upon.
Ryan has played 11 out of Brighton’s 19 League Fixtures this campaign, so it’s not like we have brought in someone who isn’t aware of English Football. He only recently lost his place in the Seagull’s first team, so this move is a no brainer.
With the Europa League and FA Cup, even as back-up he has more chance of starting games with us than if he had stayed on the South Coast.
At 28 he will feel this is an opportunity to make this a permanent switch. Martinez got a run in the team last season and he changed the whole perception of himself. If Leno found himself on the side-lines, who’s to say Ryan can’t do the same?
He’s a free agent in July.
When he makes his debut (it could be tomorrow) he will become only the 2nd Australian to become a Gunner, the first since John Kosmina in 1978 who played once for us. No one from Australia has ever featured for us in the Premiership.
Do you trust Ryan to be our number 2?
Be Kind In The Comments
Dan
I trust Ryan and he will have best moments at Arsenal I belive that.
Are you sure
I’m sure Ryan is good with his feet. But we’ve had problems with small GKs like Ospina and Runarsson, so Arsenal should’ve done their due dilligence first before wasting their millions
I prefer a taller GK in the mold of Seaman and Martinez, who were excellent in dealing with crosses and in catching the ball. However, let’s see what Ryan can do first
Nonsense. Its not about height. Ryan’s and Lenos height difference is 7 cm which is nothing really. Its all about positioning and anticipation. Barthez, Casillas, even Victor Valdez all shorter than Ryan but they didn’t have problems because of their height.
Runarsson, even at 2 meters tall, wouldn’t be good enough simply because he isn’t. A goalkeeper at 185cm height is already taller than most forwards. Positioning and anticipation, key elements to command airspace.
Those legendary GKs played in great systems which minimized the numbers of the opposition’s corners/ crosses and maximized their teams’ scoring chances, whereas Arteta’s system is currently unstable
The positives for Ryan
Just 28, right time for a keeper to peak
EPL ready, knows almost all the players
Country’s no. 1, WC experience (can be dicey sometimes if you include MO’s WC experience for AFC)
And to make things easier for him, we will be playing with 10 men in front of him, with the likes of Ozil, Kolasinac going/gone, Partey, Gabriel in front of him and workaholics like ESR, Saka, Martenelli, Tierney we can only get better, He has to be careful when Luiz, Mustafi, Xhaka, Elneny start.
Nevertheless, Welcom Ryan and win us the games you play.
Aubameyang sent back from Southampton after originally being in the squad. Meaning 2 keepers on the bench as that is all that travelled.
Yes. Experienced international goal keeper and proven performer in the EPL, despite what gotanidea thinks.
Did MA talk to Tim Cahill about Ryan?
Dan, from information I found, John Kosmina, in addition to his 1 appearance in the League, as a substitute against Leeds United, also made 3 appearance (2 as a substitute) in the UEFA Cup in his one season at Arsenal.