Real Sociedad goalkeeper Mat Ryan has detailed how close he was to joining Arsenal on a permanent deal last summer, with the Australian international Bernd Leno’s back-up in the 2020/21 season.
Speaking to the Athletic, the 29-year-old shot-stopper revealed that discussions took place between him and Mikel Arteta at the end of last season, with Ryan getting the impression that the Gunners were going to sign him beyond his six-month loan spell from Brighton.
Ryan made just three appearances for Arsenal during his brief stint with the north London club. However, the 69-cap Australian superstar quickly won admiration from supporters for his off-the-field personality as well as open love for the Gunners.
Despite his impressive performances for Arsenal and mass support from fans, Arteta and Edu Gaspar opted to sign Aaron Ramsdale over Ryan, with the 23-year-old proving to be one of the bargains of the summer as well as the Gunners’ potential starting keeper for the next ten years.
Indeed, Ryan would have been a solid signing for Arsenal, and in his own words, the La Liga star was close to joining last summer. The Australian said: “I had a sit-down with Arteta at the end of the season. It was all very positive. He said I’d exceeded everyone’s expectations and I gave him quite a lot of headaches in selection.
“His comment to me was, ‘I’m going to speak to the club about trying to sign you permanently.’ Over the summer, we were waiting. The club never contacted us directly, then it got to the point where I had another offer (from Sociedad). We went back to Arsenal and they just said I wasn’t No 1 on their list.”
Arsenal made the right decision signing Ramsdale over Ryan
When Arsenal decided to sign Ramsdale over Ryan last summer, it was viewed by many fans and pundits as a ridiculous decision from the club, yet fast-forward to now, and Arteta could not have been more right to sign the England shot-stopper.
Ramsdale has been one of the best keepers in the Premier League this season, and although Ryan might have been a reasonable backup option for Arsenal, there’s no denying that the club have played a blinder in signing the 23-year-old from Sheffield United in the summer.
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