Arsenal have secured the services of Mat Ryan from Brighton & Hove Albion on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
Arsenal have made an official statement to confirm that they have signed Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. The Australian international has joined the Gunners on a six-month deal that will run through to the end of the ongoing season.
Ryan joined Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2017 from Valencia and was regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League the first few years of his stint with the Seagulls. However, the 28-year-old has endured a fall from grace this season, having lost his place as the first-choice goalkeeper at the Amex Stadium.
Signing for the club you grew up supporting as a kid ✔️ @Arsenal
Buzzing to be beginning this new chapter and will give everything I’ve got to contribute to the first club I ever loved. pic.twitter.com/IUohEjFKVK
— Maty Ryan (@MatyRyan) January 22, 2021
With Robert Sanchez usurping him in the Brighton first-team squad since December, Ryan had become a peripheral figure for the Seagulls lately, managing 11 appearances till date this term. His situation at the club alerted Arsenal, who have been reported to be in the market for a goalkeeper.
The first rumours over a possible goalkeeping acquisition arose last week, with the Gunners being linked with a move for Barcelona’s deputy custodian Neto. Arsenal, though, were quickly rebuffed in their pursuit of the 31-year-old, with the Catalan giants unwilling to part ways with the Brazilian.
The North Londoners were subsequently also linked with Freddie Woodman, as they set about signing a reliable backup for Bernd Leno. Now, though, they have finally succeeded in their bid to do so, with boyhood Arsenal supporter Mat Ryan arriving at the Emirates. Upon the completion of the transfer, Mikel Arteta expressed his delight over securing the Australian international.
? “Mat is an experienced goalkeeper and a proven talent in the Premier League. He will further strengthen our squad with his knowledge of playing at the highest level."
? Edu on @MatyRyan pic.twitter.com/cHUqhGuXmG
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 22, 2021
The Arsenal boss said, “We know Mat very well through his performances with Brighton in recent seasons and he brings additional quality to our squad. Mat has very good Premier League experience and has played over 100 times in the league, which is something that will benefit us greatly on and off the pitch. We welcome Mat to Arsenal and look forward to working with him this season.”
Ryan, on the other hand, has appeared to be excited in his first interview as an Arsenal player, saying, “I’m very eager and keen to be here and get to work and start creating some nice memories through being successful.”
Arsenal’s eagerness to sign a goalkeeper was not ill-informed, having struggled to fill the void left by the departure of Emiliano Martinez. Runar Alex Runarsson has struggled since his arrival from Dijon and it has been suggested that he could be loaned out for the second half of the season. Ryan could, therefore, be a shrewd investment and it will be interesting to see how he performs for the rest of the campaign.
