Aussie Goalkeeper Mat Ryan Linked With Move To Strugglers Arsenal

Like many of Arsenal's transfer ideas in recent years, their decision to part ways with backup goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has proven itself to be a pretty poor one.

While FA Cup winner Martinez has flourished since his move to Aston Villa, the Gunners have suffered their worst run of form in the Premier League in donkey's years.

Their leaky defence, combined with their misfiring front line, has seen the club receive its fair share of criticism this season.

PA

And with the club still sitting in 11th place on the Premier League table, many supporters are continuing to call for Mikel Arteta's head.

His decision to cut ties with Martinez while rewarding defensive liability David Luiz a contract extension still beggars belief in the eyes of supporters.

And if the Spaniard has any chance of saving his job, he knows he's got some serious recruiting to do in the January transfer window - and that must start in the goalkeeper department.

PA

For years, Arsenal have struggled to find a world class shot stopper in their prime (so no, 50-year-old Petr Cech doesn't count).

Out of their current squad, Bernd Leno seems decent enough if he can stay injury-free but his understudy Alex Runarsson proved he's not quite ready for the big leagues following the Gunners' defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

But according to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, Arsenal could swoop in for Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Mat Ryan.

The Aussie has fallen out for favour this season under gaffer Graham Potter and is open to a move elsewhere.

"I know Mikel Arteta remains a fan of David Raya at Brentford, but I'll be surprised if they let him go in this window - possibly that could happen in the summer," Crook said.

"I wonder about Matty Ryan down at Brighton. He's lost his place in the team and has been told he can leave if a club comes in for him."

PA

Ryan is a proven Premier League-calibre goalkeeper.

His reflex saves and excellent distribution out from the back is just what the Gunners need, and at 28 he's still in the prime of his football career.

And who knows, Ryan might even shape up to be the sort of signing that finally silences Arsenal Fan TV - then again, they'd probably still find something to moan about.

Topics: Premier League news, Aussie, Transfers, Arsenal Fan TV, Arsenal, Transfer news, Mikel Arteta, Australia, Graham Potter, Brighton

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry