Arsenal’s easy Sam Johnstone & Aaron Ramsdale transfer decision

Pre-season is underway for Arsenal which means the actual Premier League season is just around the corner. Final feelings on Mikel Arteta and Edu’s business in the transfer window must stay reserved for August 31 but it’s getting to the stage where deals need to start materialising.

It wasn’t a fairytale non-competitive debut for Arthur Okonkwo against Hibernian. An error-strewn 45 minutes will unfortunately have painted him in a bad light for supporters who hadn’t chance to see him in between the sticks. At 19 years old he’ll learn and there is no sense or reason to dwell on a performance where nerves, or excitement, clearly got the better of him.

Remarkably at his age he was the only senior goalkeeper Arteta had to choose from at Easter Road. Bernd Leno has been granted time off following his excursions with Germany at the Euros and will likely be back in time for the trip to the USA, meanwhile Alex Runarsson was nowhere to be seen.

Set to depart this window to join a Turkish side few would have heard of until the reports emerged, him not travelling to Scotland indicates that this deal is near conclusion. It’s unsure whether it will be a permanent deal or a loan move.

Arsenal have easy Sam Johnstone and Aaron Ramsdale transfer decision as Mikel Arteta eyes goalkeeper signing in summer window

In truth there is little sense in a temporary departure for a player who quite simply isn’t at the standard required for Arsenal. And that’s saying something.

Okonkwo will get another chance on Saturday for the clash with Rangers and Karl Hein is behind him waiting for his opportunity, but the Estonian is a not a first team squad member and Okonkwo and Leno will head into the season, as it is, as the only two.

As a result the goalkeeping situation has been heavily speculated throughout the window despite it initially being an area of minor concern. There is still an acceptance that Leno will be sold if the right offers arrives, one the German would be open to, yet as the window draws on with no concrete interest that grows increasingly unlikely.

Even with him staying another stopper will have to be brought in, one with a particular trait. The desire for a homegrown option in that department has been made clear from reliable sources during the window, hence why links to Aaron Ramsdale have gathered momentum.

He’s not the only one though, with The Athletic adding to previous reports of interest in West Brom’s Sam Johnstone.

Arsenal have well and truly messed up their goalkeeping department.

Continued…