Arsenal have signed Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton until the end of the season to end their search for a new No. 2 goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old has been out of favour on the south coast and will now provide back-up to Bernd Leno.
Mat Ryan is a boyhood Gooner fan
The Gunners had been keen to add a goalkeeper in January after summer signing Alex Runarsson had struggled during his few outings.
Runarsson had initially signed to be the club’s third-choice stopper but Arsenal were unable to sign a replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who left for Aston Villa.
Former Man City winger Trevor Sinclair recently warned Arsenal about signing someone who was considered surplus to requirements at Brighton.
Well, hes got plenty of experience, said Sinclair. But the fact that hes not in the starting line-up, it tells you everything you need to know.
If hes not good enough for Brightons first-team. Why should he be good enough as number two for Arsenal?
Emi Martinez, it was a necessity because he deserved his chance to play first-team football. He was desperate to play first-team football and he was given that option by Aston Villa.
But bringing in Mat Ryan. The fact that he lost his position in the Brighton starting XI means to me that he’s probably a little bit short.
Nonetheless, Ryan impressed when he was Brighton’s first-choice for numerous seasons – and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at the new signing.
“We know Mat very well through his performances with Brighton in recent seasons and he brings additional quality to our squad,” said Arteta.
Ryan was demoted to third-choice goalkeeper at Brighton
“Mat has very good Premier League experience and has played over 100 times in the league, which is something that will benefit us greatly on and off the pitch. We welcome Mat to Arsenal and look forward to working with him this season.”
The Australia international is eligible to feature for Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round at Southampton tomorrow – which you can hear live on talkSPORT at 12:30!