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Alex Runarsson Makes Disaster Arsenal Debut With Carabao Cup Howler
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Alex Runarsson had a disaster debut for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City as he let a Riyad Mahrez free-kick go right through his hands.
The 25-year-old Iceland international, making his first start for the Gunners, looked to be in the perfect position as he got right behind Mahrez's shot at goal.
But the ball somehow wriggled right through his hands and into the back of the net. It was an absolute nightmare for the keeper who arrived from Dijon in the summer.
"It's like a bar of soap."
- Sky Sports (@SkySports) December 22, 2020
Oh dear! Runarsson won't want to see this one again. Mahrez's free-kick goes straight through his hands. It's a howler.
Watch live on Sky Sports Football :tv:pic.twitter.com/lbhKLMjpwA
Unfortunately, it was also a game-changing goal.
The match was poised at 1-1 after Arsenal had actually fought back from Gabriel Jesus's early header, thanks to Alexandre Lacazette's first-half equaliser.
So all was to play for 10 minutes into the second half when Runarsson showed wrists of pure, molten chocolate in response to Mahrez's free-kick.
AFTV is too good man pic.twitter.com/5uHy3Lw9dU
- Will (@will17A) December 22, 2020
Many Arsenal fans took to Twitter to bemoan the sale of keeper Emiliano Martinez, who played in the FA Cup final win against Chelsea in the summer, to Aston Villa.
Although we have to say in Runarsson's defence that making your debut is never easy - especially for a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper facing a team of the quality of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
The downgrade from Runarsson to Martinez made clear tonight.
- Simon Collings (@sr_collings) December 22, 2020
It's not many times as an Arsenal fan I've seen a player look so out of their depth.
- gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) December 22, 2020
I remember Alex Song at Fulham. In fairness to him he managed to turn it round. Maybe Runarsson Will one day do the same. You learn to never write people off.
But right now, he's miles away.
How is Runarsson good enough for Arsenal but Saliba isn't?
- Chris Godfrey (@ChrisPJGodfrey) December 22, 2020
Karius and Runarsson be like pic.twitter.com/kdBC4d8NME
- potts (@potts_tom_) December 22, 2020
We really sold Martinez for this... @Arsenal Please explain. https://t.co/SplwZ0kBt6
- Aaron (@aaronent_) December 22, 2020
I'll be putting Runarsson's gloves on ebay after the match. DM me for details. pic.twitter.com/Tz8qRlLOMl
- Kalil (@Kalil_R91) December 22, 2020
This is not this keepers fault... he should never have been bought for Arsenal but he was and isn't very good... but not his fault
- MC (@martincoxgts) December 22, 2020
So hopefully fans will go easy on Runarsson and feel sympathy for him on a harrowing night. One which only got worse when Phil Foden finished a brilliant counterattack to put City 3-1 in front, before Aymeric Laporte made it 4-1. Ouch.
Whether Arsenal fans will be quite so forgiving of Mikel Arteta, who chose to pick Runarsson for his debut against City, is quite another matter.
Featured image credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Football News, Carabao Cup, Football, Arsenal
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