Of all the deals that Arsenal aspire to complete in the upcoming summer, signing a solid backup goalkeeper should also be a priority.
Since Emi Martinez left last year, the Gunners have reportedly looked at several shot-stoppers.
The club were criticized of making a short-sighted signing in Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson from Dijon in Ligue 1, a club who were fighting relegation at that time and whose relegation fate was sealed few weeks back.
Rúnarsson, even though is an Iceland international, lost his place in the side who will finish last in France’s tier one league.
Many questions can be asked about the running of the club. Couldn’t those funds be used elsewhere? Wouldn’t a homegrown signing be better?
After Arsenal concluded the last summer window with the signing of Thomas Partey from Spanish club Atletico Madrid, it appeared to be a decent window.
The club strengthened where they need strengthening at. Center-back, central midfield and the wing was dealt with.
However, with the benefit of hindsight we can now say with certainty that it turned out to be a below average transfer window by the Gunners.
Willian and Thomas Partey (apart from few games) were awfully bad in their debut season at the Emirates Stadium. As a result, Willian is likely to depart this summer on a permanent basis. He can be joined up by Rúnarsson, who can depart the North London outfit on loan this summer.
Every point can be made in favor of Maty Ryan’s loan deal being converted into a permanent one. He has been a solid back-up to Bernd Leno, who has looked shaky this season.
Few would argue that Arsenal should make the loan deal of the Australian international permanent. Especially when he is available on a cut-price deal.
The goalkeeper also has a dressing room presence due to his age and experience, which can only benefit this young Arsenal team.
But if Arsenal intend to keep Ryan, they must move on Rúnarsson either on a permanent basis or on loan, because the 26-year-old would occupy a non-homegrown slot.
The London club would be best served if they give that third-choice goalkeeping place to an academy player who is also homegrown.
Arthur Okonkwo looks likely to be that player, after reports suggested that he was close to being handed a new deal by the club.
The 19-year-old has also made the Europa League squad on a number of occasions. Thus, it looks like a rational decision of giving a Hale End graduate the third-goalkeeping slot.
100%!
In a word, yes.
Rúnarsson was a stupid buy…as we all know. If Matty Ryan is cheap enough he is a good buy. He loves Arsenal, so he will always give his best. I just hope we can get a manager, who bonds with his players and like Wenger used to. Brendan Rogers is the dream. Arteta seems to be unable to bond or be fatherly or brotherly….what use is that because trust and not obsessive micro-management encourages players be creative.
Can’t justify it, because he hasn’t played many games for us. Besides, there must be taller GK available to be loaned next season and we haven’t tried Dejan Iliev yet
GAI, you have joined TRVL school of goalkeeping thought. Mat Ryan is obviously rubbish, because he is only 1.84 m (6’0″+) tall. This has obviously held him back in playing 77 games for Club Brugge, 21 games for Valencia, 17 games for Genk, 121 games for Brighton & Hove Albion, 3 games for Arsenal and 59 full internationals for Australia.
I have a friend I can recommend, who is 6’6″ tall, but he can’t keep goal to save himself.
Maybe Arsenal should scout tall NBA stars, but they wouldn’t drop money to come to Arsenal to be #2 and compete with Bernd Leno.
I don’t know who you think would be prepared to come to the Emirates to sit on the bench? After all Arsenal also has young goalkeepers coming through, don’t forget. As we know the Club is so flush with funds to spend on a back up goal keeper, given it has no other position deficiencies to address.
I’m just worried that Ryan would have difficulties like Ospina and Pickford. Our two most prominent GKs in the 90s to 2000s, Seaman and Lehmann, are 190+ cm tall
We also haven’t tested our young GKs. Imagine if we trusted Martinez to be Szczesny’s competitor, instead of the shorter Ospina
OG…don’t lump me in with the bad take master…I never suggested he wasn’t a skilled Keeper, I just said that based on the law of averages and our modern historical experiences we should opt for a larger/taller Keeper with a definitive commanding presence in and around the box…some teams with more financial flexibility can afford to gamble and go against the numbers, whereas that would be an unwise proposition for a team that has no margin for error when it comes to recruitment…just think about it, in the last 12 months alone, not only did we get rid of our best Keeper, we likewise wasted some good coin on the failed Runnar experiment
as you’re a fellow countryman of our current cover Keeper, I get your predilections towards Ryan, but your arguments aren’t convincing whatsoever for someone without such an obvious connection to the man…neither his career numbers nor your bizarro world theory about scouting NBA stars for the position, as that’s just pure nonsense, add any credibility to your argument…now if he wants to sign a one year back-up gig for no more than the roughly 37/week he earned at Brighton, I’m in, but I very much doubt that will be anywhere near what this professed Arsenal fan will demand in order for us to secure his signature
TRVL, my suggestion to scout NBA players, was a tongue in cheek response to the argument that height was the prime criteria to assess the competence of a goal keeper.
The fact that Ryan is Australian, is irrelevant apart from the fact, that I do have some detailed knowledge of his career, have watched him play from back in the Marconi days and he currently is part of Arsenal’s squad.
What I ask others to do is suggest the name of a goal keeper, ready and available to come to Arsenal to act as #2 and compete with Leno, better than Ryan, who will not use up too much of the transfer budget?
OG…I realized the tongue in cheek aspect of your NBA commentary, but I was just giving you the gears as I was still pissed about being compared to someone who regularly spouts what I would consider utter nonsense
as for the whole “countryman” issue, I was simply implying that your obvious familiarity with the entirety of his career could have both a positive and negative impact on your perception of that player…in one respect, you might be much better suited to properly evaluate the individual in question, whereas, on the other hand, you might have an inherent bias that makes it more problematic for you to make a totally objective assessment…either way, if he was only going to provide cover for the same wage as he was receiving under the terms of his existing contract, then I would be okay with that situation
TRVL, all good fun! 😄That’s why I threw Aaron Ramsdale into the mix.
Illoris is only 6 ft 1
Barthez is 5 ft 11
Height do make a difference but doesnt mean short GK are rubbish
short GK are good on the ground while taller GK are better on the air
Gorge Campos.
He might be good for Mexico. But I doubt he’d succeed in today’s EPL, since the league is full of 190+ cm players
Talent beat size. He just have to jump high enough. I remember Messi beating Vidic and Ferdinand together to score a header.
124 games in England seem to go against your theory, particularly in that he was considered a major factor in keeping Brighton in the EPL. Ryan, as HH states has proven “talent” and commands his area and marshalls the defense, something Leno often fails to do.
I agree with GAI, that Dejan Iliev shows promise, but the Arsenal coaches don’t yet see him as ready to be back up to Leno. Someone is required to fill the #2 role, while the young goal keepers continue to develop.
Depends on what other options are available.
If, for instance, Neto is available for about the same price, I’d go for him.
Makes complete sense! EPL experience, and he’s already adapted to life at Arsenal.
Can’t think of a single mistake he’s made playing for us.
I’m with Grandad
Its a no brainier, yes keep him. When he has played he commands his area, comes for crosses and apart from being good at playing out from the back, isn’t afraid to tell defenders to get up the pitch when wants to go long. Unfortunately he won’t be on the bench this Sunday.
Wasnt Ryan into the last 6 months of his contract when he came here? Wouldnt that make him a free signing?
He has one year left on his current deal
Simple….yes if we plan to use him no we don’t plan to.
He did well, for a backup, he is more than convincing, (actually too good, if there is no European football and there is less matches).
Neto is good as well for no.2, if there is Europe.
Woodman junior (Newcastle loaned to Swansa), looks good too for number 2 with European football.
For a number one, I would check options.
Rui Patricio of Wolves has 1 year left. He is 33, market value 10M € (transfermarket). If Leno is willing to go, then…
Onana, and Lile’s GK (1 yr left)…I am sure there are others.
Ba, thank you for your suggestions. I would also suggest Aaron Ramsdale, the current keeper at relegated Sheffield United. An England U21 international, Ramsdale played strongly in a beaten side (he got plenty of practice!), is 23 yo, 1.91 m tall and has a transfer value of around €15 million.
He is very promising Ozzie, for a number2, he is very good, contract extends to 2024 but Sheff Utd. might be okay to sell at a reasonable price(not 15M€) after relegation.
I believe due to losses (due to covid), Arsenal will have a tight budget, unless they manage to cash in on some players.
European football will also be an important factor, because not many GK will be willing to come and stay on bench for Leno and play only FA and League cup. Europa league used to gurantee our 2nd keeper 6 matches, if he got 4 out from both cups (which Arsenal usually does), that is 10, the rest will depend on his luck and quality.
No europe means, tighter budget and less matches.
Like you said above, Ryan is good, if Leno stayed and with no Europe, they may be enough with Alex R. and/or the young GKs, some of them are promising.
Not many top GKs will come to Arsenal to watm the bench for Leno and play FA cup for Arsenal, and financial wise it is not worth to spend much on backup.
I doubt they would bench Leno even if they are willing to sell by the end of season, they know him well, he provide vital saves, and they would mot want to decrease his market value.
And slightly off topic, height is important, arm reach, jump/agility, techniques in his try, reflexes, talent in positioning/reading the play and decision making, footwork. Height is one important factor but not everything.
would be a good backup hope leno stays Freddie woodman of nufc is also being considered
Nuno Espirato Santo is leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers. Where to next?
Ozziiegunner.
Seems to have hit a brick wall.
Brought Wolves up playing in a very much Arsenal (as was) style.
With that in mind he was in my thoughts pre Arteta,
AJ, with Wolverhampton, won promotion, 7th, 7th, now slipping down, but has had issues with injuries to key players. I like his style of play.
I think Sp*rs might snap him up. But it will feel sweet if he rejects them :)))
He is decent to be honest, but there are number of more proven coaches available (no team).
Reports saying Sp*rs are quite interested. It will be a real test for him. He has done well until he lost R. Jiménez (whom I feel really sorry about, hope he recovers completely well).
Yes.
Solid backup, pushing hard for the number 1 shirt.
Agreed!
Absolutely 100%.
If Leno leaves, then Ryan will be an able 1st choice…. if the rumours regarding Snez are true, sign him as well and then concentrate on the real areas of concern – LB, RB, MF and CF.
OH and of course, the colour of our away kit and which player models it!!!!
Alban Lafont, seriously talented young French keeper currently on loan at Nantes from Fiorentina, Arsenal scouted him a few years ago, has potential. Quality back up.
Yes please
What about Sam Johnstone of Westbrom? I know he is from a relegated team. But he is tall, has good save percentage, homegrown and don’t tell me he is not good with feet BS. This playing out from back has cost us more errors/goals against us than goals for us
Sam, made a howler on the weekend.
It’s a no-brainer.
My No. 1 since he signed.
-came
Absolutely!