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“He’ll join Arsenal” – Fabrizio Romano confirms move after player undergoes medical

By on September 16, 2020

Runar-Alex-Runarsson

Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson will join Arsenal after reportedly undergoing a medical in London on Monday.

Mikel Arteta needs to sign a back-up goalkeeper after Emi Martinez completed his move to Aston Villa earlier today. Martinez impressed during the second half of last season but wanted guaranteed first team football – something Arteta cannot offer now that Bernd Leno is fit again.

We’ve been linked with David Raya in recent weeks but with Brentford proving reluctant sellers, Arsenal have seemingly turned their attention to alternatives and Runarsson has emerged as a shock target.

The Telegraph claimed earlier this week that Arsenal had opened talks with Dijon over a £1.5m deal for Runarsson and Icelandic outlet DV 4-3-3, via the Express, claimed that the keeper undertook his medical in London on Monday after a deal was agreed.

The report said Runarsson was set to sign a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium and Sky Sports are also claiming that Arsenal are on the verge of signing the 25-year-old shot-stopper.

One fan asked Romano about the proposed deal on Twitter and the Guardian journalist confirmed that Runarsson will ‘join Arsenal’ as Martinez’s replacement.

So it looks as though Arsenal are about to sign a new goalkeeper and Runarsson will become our sixth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Willian, Gabriel, Dani Ceballos [loan], Cedric Soares [permanent] and Pablo Mari [permanent].

We needed a number two and Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana worked with Runarsson during their time together at Nordsjaelland and he has reportedly recommended the player to Arteta.

Runarsson only made 11 appearances for Dijon last season and hasn’t represented Iceland since 2018 [only has 5 caps] so he has very little top level experience, which is a big concern.

Let’s be honest, Arsenal wouldn’t have won the FA Cup and subsequently qualified for Europe if we didn’t have a top class number two in Martinez last season, so it’s a huge risk to have Runarsson as Leno’s back-up.

It would be unfair to ask him to deputise in the Premier League for an extended spell if Leno got injured again, which is why I think we should have targeted a more experienced goalkeeper to replace Martinez.

My only hope is Arteta is actually buying Runarsson as a replacement for number three keeper Matt Macey – who’s been tipped to leave this summer – and we’re still in the market for a new number two.

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