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Alex Runarsson under extra pressure if given Arsenal chance
Following Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit, it appeared extremely difficult to imagine Alex Runarsson playing for the Gunners again after a torrid evening.
Runarsson had arrived as an understudy to Bernd Leno in the summer. So it was an ominous sign for the goalkeeper that Mat Ryan was subsequently signed on loan in January.
However, the Iceland international was needed against Wolves on Tuesday. With Ryan injured, it was the 25-year-old who came on when Leno was sent off.
And according to Mikel Arteta, it appears that Runarsson is in contention to make his full Premier League debut this Saturday when Arsenal travel to Aston Villa.
Arteta confirmed that Ryan is not yet back in training, but did hint that it is not yet clear who will start this weekend (via ).
Ryan is seemingly going to require a significant recovery to make the game. So it would appear that Runarsson may be favourite to start.
He will be under huge pressure. His start to life in North London has been extremely underwhelming. And it is hard to see him getting another chance if he makes another error.
So it could be a pivotal game for Runarsson if he hopes to make the grade at Arsenal. But one thing that will not help him – if he does play – is the presence of the goalkeeper at the other end of the pitch.
Villa, of course, boast Emi Martinez. And he has generally been an inspired signing for Dean Smith’s side.
There was a lot of disappointment when he left Arsenal last year. And should he impress on Saturday, there are likely to be plenty of supporters understandably bemoaning the decision to let him go once again.
That would only make it more imperative that Runarsson does well.
In truth, he faces an uphill battle anyway given the criticism he has faced. But Martinez’s involvement in the same game would only make his task all the more difficult.