LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal (Photo by Andrew Boyers – Pool/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal’s plans for the January transfer window.
January is well underway and movements are being tracked at Arsenal, with players leaving as well as those rumoured to be in their way to north London.
Two defenders have already bid temporary farewells to the club in the form of Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba, the pair securing six-month loan deals to Schalke 04 and OGC Nice respectively.
The next to make way was long-serving Matt Macey, who secured a permanent move to Hibernian this winter in search of first team football. The gigantic goalkeeper was the club’s third choice for the 2020/21 season and his departure has now prompted Mikel Arteta to act in the transfer market.
Speaking on the official Arsenal website, the Spanish boss confirmed that an evaluation of the goalkeeping department is taking place with a view to bringing in reinforcements this window.
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“We are assessing the situation with the three positions on the goalkeeping area and we will find a different solution, probably in this window,” he said.
Bernd Leno is the undisputed first choice stopper, with the options behind him either vastly inexperienced or not deemed at an acceptable level to assume the backup slot.
Currently there are two candidates to fill up the third spot, Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo. Both players have impressed in the youth setups, with the former already making the bench for Arsenal during their Europa League group matches this season.
Hein is also an Estonian international, despite being only 18 years old, and his highly rated at the club. Importantly, in the summer he will be classed as homegrown, which is an important factor given the departure of Englishman Macey.
Also falling under the homegrown tag is Okonkwo, a London-born 19-year-old who made his breakthrough in the 2018/19 season – some solid outings at Under-18 and Under-23 level have seen the keeper make appearances at England youth level. As for Runar Alex Runarsson, his future is now up for debate, as a temporary move away has been mooted.
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<blockquote><p>“We are assessing the situation with the three positions on the goalkeeping area and we will find a different solution, probably in this window,” he said.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/2628fd2b/Bernd-Leno?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Bernd Leno</a> is the undisputed first choice stopper, with the options behind him either vastly inexperienced or not deemed at an acceptable level to assume the backup slot.</p>
<p>Currently there are two candidates to fill up the third spot, Karl Hein and Arthur Okonkwo. Both players have impressed in the youth setups, with the former already making the bench for Arsenal during their Europa League group matches this season.</p>
<p>Hein is also an Estonian international, despite being only 18 years old, and his highly rated at the club. Importantly, in the summer he will be classed as homegrown, which is an important factor given the departure of Englishman Macey.</p>
<p>Also falling under the homegrown tag is Okonkwo, a London-born 19-year-old who made his breakthrough in the 2018/19 season – some solid outings at Under-18 and Under-23 level have seen the keeper make appearances at England youth level. As for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/8fa8f8d2/Runar-Alex-Runarsson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Runar Alex Runarsson</a>, his future is now up for debate, as a temporary move away has been mooted.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Runarsson Loan Move </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-110490" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1228676185-850x560.jpeg" alt="Runar Alex Runarsson, Arsenal" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Runar Alex Runarsson of Arsenal (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Runar Alex Runarsson Could Leave Arsenal on Loan</h2>
<p>Performances in the Europa League failed to offer a great insight into the Icelandic keeper’s ability, however, on the rare occasions he was called into action there were early alarm bells.</p>
<p>Confident with the ball at his feet – albeit not translating into real quality – when faced with shots at goal, he’s come up short. In case it wasn’t known, this is quite an integral part of being a goalkeeper.</p>
<p>Surprisingly given the nod in the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City, it became painfully evident that Runarsson is nowhere near the level required. It’s early days into his Arsenal career, granted, but the mistakes made against the Citizens offered worrying signs given the calibre of error for a keeper who is already 25 years old. Cock-ups like those can be forgiven at a young age, less so now.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1347498588415414273</p>
<p>While the door isn’t fully closed on a career in north London, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://theathletic.com/news/arsenal-transfer-runarsson-football-soccer/Fdt3713x3yVS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic</a> have revealed that Arteta would be willing to let the former Dijon man leave this month on loan. As per the report, ‘a number of clubs in the Championship and across Europe’ are interested in bringing him in this window, positive signs that suitors haven’t been put off by his shaky start to life in England.</p>
<p>This would depend on whether Arsenal can <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/05/arsenal-transfer-tussle-leno-backup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secure another keeper this window</a>.</p>
<p>Long-term target <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/01/11/arsenal-arteta-confirm-january-transfer/"https://fbref.com/en/players/98ea5115/David-Raya?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">David Raya</a> remains in the conversation, although there has been no update on his situation of late. Brentford had a price last summer that Arsenal were unwilling to meet.</p>
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<p>The bottom line is, if Leno is injured then Arsenal are up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Runarsson will not only make more errors, but will instill worry into his back four. A reliable, comfortable keeper is needed and the January plans continue to unravel. Equally, Runarsson needs to play to build up confidence.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
