Arsenal: 3 Reasons Mat Ryan is the Ideal January Transfer

Arsenal have confirmed the loan signing of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan from Brighton until the end of the season.

In the modern era where nothing flies under the radar – not even training ground scuffles – the stunning announcement of Mathew Ryan‘s signing surprised all of an Arsenal affiliation…and beyond.

Seeing Runar Alex Runarsson let Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick squirm straight through his fingers having already flapped at the precious few shots he’d faced up until that point, it became clear that among the countless needs in the Gunners’ squad, a backup goalkeeper was essential.

A January window that began with all attention on offloading players has now moved in the other direction, with the Australian keeper expected to be followed by the addition of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. Out of the blue, but not out of their minds, here is why Ryan is an excellent January addition.

3 reasons why Mat Ryan is the perfect January loan transfer for Arsenal

There has been some confusion over whether Ryan is homegrown or not given he holds a British passport through his Scottish mother. This has turned out not be true but it does add an interesting option in the summer.

Ryan’s Brighton deal expires at the end of the season and while Arsenal may look to pursue younger, long-term targets then, if they do indeed sign him on a free transfer it will help with the new Brexit rules given his passport status.

That option now becomes an enticing one should goalkeeper pursuits fail in the off-season.

The likelihood is that Runarsson will leave on loan this window anyway. In order to secure players who aren’t homegrown, namely Odegaard, Arsenal will need to move the Icelandic stopper on, or someone else in the squad not meeting the homegrown tag.

Given Ryan has come in, a Runarsson departure appears imminent.