Nigel Winterburn told Stadium Astro that Alex Runarsson is ‘well away’ from being a first-team player for Arsenal.
This comes after Bernd Leno’s mistake during Arsenal’s defeat to Everton on Friday night when the German managed to nutmeg himself following a tame cross from Richarlison.
Arsenal’s backup options are Runarsson, 26, who was purchased in the summer to be Emiliano Martinez’s replacement and Mat Ryan, who came in January.
Nonetheless, Winterburn was reacting to Tony Adams’ scathing criticism of Leno and how he isn’t a top-four goalkeeper before sharing his thoughts on the options Mikel Arteta has to choose from the bench.
“First of all, we are not a top-four team,” said Winterburn. “If I am completely honest, usually he is a consistent goalkeeper. He has had mistakes this season.
“One thing I would say is that there is no competition for Leno for his position this season. We have Mat Ryan, who has come in from Brighton. And the young goalkeeper (Alex Runarsson), who has played a couple of games but he is well away from being a first-team player.
“The problem we have is that Leno, no matter his form, is going to be the first choice. And I don’t think that’s a good thing to have in any team, in any position.”
Runarsson didn’t exactly cover himself in glory during the brief games he started, especially that League Cup clash against Manchester City.
It forced Arsenal to search the transfer market once again for a goalkeeper and that’s when they decided to push for Ryan’s services.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Runarsson is moved on in the summer because it simply hasn’t worked out for him in North London.
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