Arsenal: 4 goalkeepers to target in summer transfer window

After the season ended few could have predicted that Arsenal would be facing goalkeeper concerns. Bernd Leno has been a solid performer for the club despite his inability to cut out the errors, while Mat Ryan’s arrival was warmly welcomed.

As it is, neither could be playing for Arsenal next season.

The club won’t have been expecting this, nor the fans. Sure, Leno has come under some serious scrutiny from sections of the fanbase who’ve grown tired of his mistakes, but it wasn’t long ago he was being mentioned among the best in his position in the division.

Unfortunately for goalkeepers, any slip-up can be so detrimental that all the good you may have done in the past – Leno has saved the Gunners’ skin numerous times – can be forgotten. It shouldn’t be forgotten that he was second behind only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Player of the Season in 2019/20.

Arsenal: 4 goalkeepers to target in summer transfer window as backup option if Andre Onana arrives and Bernd Leno leaves

It does look as though his time in north London is coming to an end, however, as Arsenal push through with a deal to sign Andre Onana from Ajax.

Nothing is concluded but the links are strong and the likelihood grows each day, especially now that his 12-month doping ban has been reduced to nine months and he’ll be available to train with his new side from September onwards.

In the backup department, Mat Ryan impressed during his short spell in north London and rarely put a foot (hand?) wrong in his three outings for the club he supports. While a tiny sample size, few would have been disappointed to see him brought back again next season.

The reports suggest a different direction is being pursued, though. The Athletic have repeatedly stated that Arsenal want to sign a young, homegrown goalkeeper who can push for a starting berth (potentially Onana’s spot) at the club and they’re actively pursuing targets.

David Raya was the number one choice but his promotion with Brentford eliminated his exit clause and now that deal has been put to bed. Thus, looking across the country and afar, who else could the Gunners sign to suit their desires?

Here are four options, with stats via fbref.

1. Daniel Bentley – Bristol City

Bristol City’s 2020/21 Player of the Season award was a pleasant way for Daniel Bentley to end a season of club disappointment. The Robins had fallen short of a play-off spot in Bentley’s first campaign with the club two years ago, but struggled hugely last term and eventually finished in a lowly 19th spot.

Considering only two clubs conceded more goals than Bristol City last season and for the 27-year-old to still win the individual gong has to count for something.

Interestingly, Bentley has already been at Arsenal. He was scouted at the age of eight having started out as a centre-back but didn’t stay long at club, being released fairly quickly and moving to Southend. Seven seasons with the Shrimpers came to an end as Brentford paid over £1m to bring him to west London, where he spent another three seasons before being snapped up by Bristol City.

Now being courted by the likes of Southampton, looking across the Championship there are few stellar options who fit the mould of what Arsenal are after. Bentley is not someone to get the pulses racing but he’s proven himself to be a fine shot-stopper and his climb up the divisions following his initial release at Arsenal is commendable.

Still, not going to exactly lift the bar and Onana wouldn’t be trembling in his boots if he joined with him as backup. It’s slim pickings in the second tier.