Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raved about goalkeeper Mathew Ryan on the club’s official website.
Ryan recently joined Arsenal on loan from Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old Australia international goalkeeper will be looking to compete with Bernd Leno for a place in the starting lineup.
Arteta has said that he spoke with his former Everton teammate and ex-Australia international Tim Cahill about Ryan.
The Spaniard has added that people he spoke to about Ryan gave him positive feedback.
Arteta said about Ryan on the club’s official website: “He’s settled really quickly. I was really impressed when I talked to him. He’s really focused, really engaged with what we want to do. He’s a very professional guy and he’s coming here to compete with Alex and with Bernd. That’s the mentality and the desire that we want for any player that joins our club.”
The Spaniard added when asked if he spoke to Cahill: “I did speak to him obviously because I always like to have information with players, with coaches that have spent time with them. I got a really positive feedback from Tim as well as other people. When you have reliable sources, you feel much more confident to make any decision.”
Good signing for Arsenal?
Leno is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal, and that is not going to change.
If the German is fit and does not have a bad run of form, then he will play regularly between the posts.
However, Ryan is a very good back-up who can come in handy if Leno has an injury. Moreover, Arsenal are still in the Europa League, and Arteta could decide to play the Australian in the European competition.
The Gunners are aiming finish in the top four of the Premier League table this season.
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