Arteta says 25-year-old’s worked so hard in Arsenal training

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told the club’s official website that Alex Runarsson deserves credit for working really hard in training.

Runarsson’s time at Arsenal so far has not been the easiest, since he arrived in the summer transfer window.

The Icelandic international has looked shaky in some fleeting first-team appearances and he has taken on board a great deal of criticism.

But Arteta insists that Runarsson has slotted in really well to Arsenal’s squad, and the Spanish boss says that his work-rate in training has impressed him.

“Yeah, he works really hard and he’s fitting in really well around the dressing room,” Arteta said.

“He’s a really nice boy, really humble and he needs to be away from all the comments to focus on his work and improving.”

Arteta’s words of encouragement could serve as a confidence boost before the weekend.

Runarsson may be called upon by Arsenal to play against Aston Villa tomorrow, as they have very few other options in goal.

Bernd Leno is suspended, while Matthew Ryan is an injury doubt.

Arteta has already hinted that if Ryan doesn’t make it back then Runarsson will be selected to start, and all eyes will be on the 25-year-old if he is given the nod to feature.