Arsenal on-loan goalkeeper Mat Ryan was put on the spot in an interview with the official Socceroos website – and his answer may not be what Gunners fans want to hear!
The Australian is a boyhood Arsenal fan whose dream came true when Mikel Arteta brought him to the Emirates on loan from Brighton.
It’s been a tough road for Ryan, whose journey from Plumpton to London saw him move out of his comfort zone many times and also overcome numerous setbacks, including a difficult spell at Valencia.
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Arsenal now have two top Australian goalkeepers in their ranks – Ryan in the men’s side, and Westfield Matildas star Lydia Williams in the women’s side.
Both put each other on the spot in a series of questions ranging from initiation songs and international call-ups to ‘who would win in a penalty shootout’.
And then Ryan was asked the million pound question – “would you rather win every cup for Arsenal or the World Cup for Australia?”
He replied: “What a position to put me in! How many worldwide Arsenal fans are there? I’m trying to do the numbers!
“With all due respect to Arsenal, the club I loved growing up as a kid and everything, I’m going to go with the World Cup.
“I think because the World Cup only comes around every four years, makes it a little bit more special and it’s harder to win.
“Then also the impact that would have on Australia would be I feel much greater than any trophy that Arsenal would win because they’ve won so many in the past.
“Lending a helping hand to Australian football I think I choose the World Cup with Australia.”