Arsenal journalist Charles Watts spoke on his YouTube channel yesterday about Mikel Arteta’s plans for Maty Ryan beyond the end of this season.
The Aussie international joined us on loan from Brentford in January. He has only played once, but he was brilliant and many Arsenal fans would be content if we were to sign him permanently this summer.
However, Watts does not believe that will happen. He has claimed that Arsenal will try to bring in someone much younger to put ‘some real pressure on Bernd Leno’ – possibly, Brentford star David Raya.
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Asked if Arsenal will sign Ryan on a permanent deal, he said: “I’m not sure if they will.
“I think they are going to focus more on signing another goalkeeper, a younger keeper this summer. Potentially to put some real pressure on Bernd Leno.
“They wanted to sign David Raya at Brentford last summer, they didn’t get that done. It wouldn’t at all surprise me if they go back in for Raya this summer.”
The Insider’s View:
We all know Arteta prefers Leno over anyone else, just ask Emi Martinez.
Arsenal were just looking for someone to come in and do a job when needed and Ryan fits that bill perfectly. He is experienced in the Premier League and can hold his own against some of the best sides in the division.
However, the Brighton man is not on Leno’s level and the German does need competition. Raya would be a phenomenal addition in that regard, but it will not be easy to complete that deal.
Having conceded just 33 goals in 33 Championship games, Raya is one of the best in the division. He’s a very good shot-stopper and he is brilliant with the ball at his feet as well, which is why Arteta was so keen to sign him last summer.
The Athletic reported back in January that Raya’s new contract has a ‘minimum fee release clause’ inserted which becomes active at the end of this season. If Arsenal really are keen, we will have to trigger that to get him this summer.
