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Arsenal: 5 transfers that need to be successful

By Ross Kennerley

New recruit Olympique de Marseille's (OM) French defender William Saliba poses with his jersey during his official presentation ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 French Ligue 1 season at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on August 5, 2021, southeastern France. (Photo by Christophe SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)
New recruit Olympique de Marseille's (OM) French defender William Saliba poses with his jersey during his official presentation ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 French Ligue 1 season at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on August 5, 2021, southeastern France. (Photo by Christophe SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Alex Runarsson
POZNAN, POLAND – JUNE 08: Runar Alex Runarsson of Iceland fails to save a shot from Piotr Zielinski of Poland who scores his teams first goal during the international friendly match between Poland and Iceland at Stadion Poznan on June 08, 2021 in Poznan, Poland. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images) /

2. Alex Runarsson – OH Leuven

Deal: Loan with option to buy
Contract expiry: 2024

Newly promoted Turkish sides and mid-table Belgian teams appear to be Alex Runarsson’s level. While there would have been interest in Europe, these were the sides that Arsenal felt were the best options for the Icelandic keeper this window.

A move to Altay S.K broke down in the final stages and it took until deadline day for an agreement to be struck to see the 26-year-old leave north London.

OH Leuven finished 11th in the 18-team Belgian Pro League last season and have started the current campaign off in far worse fashion: four draws and two defeats from their opening six matches has them sitting in 17th.

Surprisingly, the loan deal OH Leuven agreed with Arsenal includes a buy option. Confirmed by the Belgian club, if Runarsson has a successful spell and the clause is triggered it saves the Gunners the effort of needing to scour the lower reaches of European football once again for a new buyer.

Having paid less than £2m in the first place, whatever the purchase price is won’t be anything above that. That much can be sure.

The concerns are, of course, if his temporary employers get relegated. Equally, if Runarsson isn’t deemed of the standard required over there, he unlikely will be elsewhere.

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