Arsenal facing big goalkeeper conundrum in pre-season

Despite the European Championships still some way off completion and the summer transfer window being in full swing, pre-season for Arsenal is just around the corner and there is plenty that needs solving in time for the July start.

Busy dealing with potential arrivals in north London in the form of a defender and a midfielder, there are also a mountain of departures to contend with for Mikel Arteta and Edu.

As ever for all managers during the summer, getting preferred targets signed early into the window ensures there is as much time as possible to get them up to speed with the ideas and to build fitness.

Nothing ever runs quite so smoothly in the world of football and as it stands, Arsenal have a goalkeeping conundrum on their hands as they begin preparing for their first pre-season clash with Hibernian on July 13.

Arsenal facing big goalkeeper conundrum in pre-season with Bernd Leno not available and contract situations to sort in summer transfer window

Currently away with Germany at Euro 2020, depending on how Bernd Leno’s side fare in the tournament with their last 16 knockout tie against England to come, there is no chance that the 29-year-old will be back in time to link up with the rest of the squad as planned.

Given Mat Ryan’s loan has ended and there have yet to be any strong indications that he will return to Arsenal in some capacity, that leaves the only senior option at the club as Runar Alex Runarsson.

Now there needn’t be any unnecessary dissecting into what ability he has, but while pre-season isn’t worth anything in terms of points, the Icelandic goalkeeper is widely expected to leave north London on loan this summer anyway. If so, he may not even be around for the start of the tour to Florida nor the trips north to Scotland.

Rumours continue to circulate around Andre Onana’s future, with Arsenal still mulling over whether to bring in the Cameroonian stopper in from Ajax on a bargain deal as he has just one year left to run on his contract.

Even if they do, part of the reason his fee is so minor is because he can’t even train with his new teammates until September or even play competitively until November. His signing, while desired, doesn’t solve this particular conundrum.

Talk has intensified that Arteta is chasing a young, homegrown keeper in this window to develop into a long-term option and help meet the quota, but as of yet only links to Aaron Ramsdale (who would also be given an extended break) and faint speculation around Freddie Woodman remains.

So, bring in some academy options to play? Even that avenue isn’t so simple.

Continued…

Arsenal Still Waiting on Arthur Okonkwo Contract Extension

One of the most promising players in the Gunners academy isn’t an outfield option, but instead is 19-year-old Arthur Okonkwo.

Highly-rated in and around the club, with no senior options other than Runarsson (who may well not be here come July) he is the next in line supporters should be most excited about seeing.

The issue is that his current contract expires on June 30, and disagreements have arisen surrounding the new deal presented to him by Arsenal.

As per AllNigeriaSoccer, who are very clued in with the Arsenal youth, the main stumbling block of the deal is the finances involved. Okonkwo – or his agent – is said to want his new deal to be worth up to £1m-per-year, which amounts to well over £19k-a-week. A fair whack for a 19-year-old goalkeeper.

It would be a crushing blow were no agreement to be found for a stopper who needs to see a pathway into the senior team, and in case of no solution being found then Karl Hein will be the one to join up on the tours.

Already likely to link up with the first team for pre-season training, the Estonian has been battling with Okonkwo for the first-choice academy goalkeeper spot, as well as the the third-choice Europa League place last season.

Dejan Iliev remains in the picture but it doesn’t seem as if his future will be at Arsenal beyond the summer either.

It leaves the options heading into the coming fixtures as Runarsson (potentially) and Hein. An agreement with Okonkwo needs sorting soon.