Goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is now set to return to Arsenal.
Cardiff City signed Arsenal goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson on a season-long loan deal in the recent summer transfer window.
The Icelandic shot-stopper has failed to establish himself as the No. 1 pick between the sticks for the Welsh outfit though, as he has managed just six Championship appearances so far this season.
With Cardiff now set to sign Ethan Horvath from Nottingham Forest, as reported by The Telegraph, Runarsson has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Cardiff City Stadium.
According to The Mirror, Runarsson will now have his loan agreement terminated early. With his Cardiff deal torn up, the 28-year-old will now return to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners likely will not have time to find a new club for the ‘keeper before the January transfer deadline passes.
What next for Arsenal flop Runar Alex Runarsson?
As such, it is likely that he will spend the rest of the season kicking his heels in north London, as the 27-cap Iceland international is clearly not in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal paid £1.8 million to sign Runarsson from French club Dijon in the summer of 2020. In his first season at Arsenal, acting as back-up to Bernd Leno, he made six appearances across all competitions, including one outing in the Premier League.
However, Runarsson never looked comfortable at the highest level and it quickly became clear that he wasn’t up to the task of reliably performing well for Arsenal when called upon.
He has not made an appearance for the north London club since that maiden campaign in English football, and has subsequently struggled to impress over the course of any of his recent loan spells, with OH Leuven, Alanyaspor, and now Cardiff City.
The decision to bring Runarsson to Arsenal in the first place must be viewed as an error, and he will now most likely depart the club as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of this season.
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