Arsenal have completed the signing of Dijon goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
The Icelandic international has joined the Gunners in a transfer understood to be worth around £1million. He has signed a four year contract with the club and will wear the No.13 shirt.
Emiliano Martinez’s £20million move to Aston Villa left Arsenal in need of an understudy to Bernd Leno, a role that Runarsson could be asked to fulfill. There is however a possibility that the 25-year-old will find himself as Mikel Arteta’s third choice goalkeeper with the Gunners still keen to sign David Raya.
However with Brentford insistent that they want to keep Raya and under no financial pressure to sell the goalkeeper, who would like to join Arsenal, it is possible that Runarsson may be the Gunners’ back-up option between the posts.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
Runarsson was secured for a low fee after falling out of favour with Dijon and losing his starting spot to Alfred Gomis. In 14 games last season the 25-year-old conceded 26 goals.
Arsenal goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana worked with Runarsson at Danish club Nordsjaelland and played an influential role in convincing Arteta to make a move for the goalkeeper.
“Obviously at the end it will be me who makes the decision [as to which goalkeeper we buy]. But is very important that the people around me, who have on many occasions a much clearer criteria and specificity than me, that I really listen to them and try to follow what their feelings are.
“I have big faith in Inaki as I do with the rest of the staff that are here. I will take that into the medical department, with the physios, the kit man, every department that is here.
“They have much more expertise than me. I want to control them, I want to make sure that they share their values and direction we want to take.”
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