According to the Athletic (subscription required), with Arsenal already in the market for a No.10, central midfielder, centre-back, left-back and right-back – the Gunners face another potential need…
The Athletic report that the Gunners are currently on the search for a backup goalkeeper to contend with Bernd Leno, but the side’s No.1 is actually considering an exit from the Emirates.
It’s stressed that there is some ‘concern internally’ at the development spurred by Leno’s stance, which piles more pressure on the summer overhaul that is already expected.
The Athletic report that the club are on the hunt for a second-choice who qualifies as homegrown, with playoff final stoppers Freddie Woodman (Swansea) and David Raya (Brentford) seen as targets.
One preference for Arsenal that may seriously worry fans is the noise that the club would like to recruit a young keeper to develop, which seems questionable after the Runar Alex Runarsson experiment.
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Leno has struggled during some high-profile matches during his time at Arsenal, especially on a couple of occasions this season, that would make a new No.1 a good idea in theory, but the Gunners simply have too much other business to sort out already this summer.
With a defence that already lacks stability and one that is braced to lose a long-serving star in Hector Bellerin this summer, a change between the sticks should perhaps be put on hold for now.
It also remains to be seen whether Arsenal, a club who have always operated tightly when it comes to finances under the Kroenke ownership, will have enough cash in their budget to fund so many signings.
Think if we could get Raya or Woodman and keep Ryan then it wouldn’t be such a big deal.
Watched Woodman in the play off final and he was poor and Raya is now in the premiership. Matt Ryan did well when he played and l would actually have him as our no.1 in place of Leno. Every time Leno has the ball at his feet l start to panic, his distribution is so poor and he puts players under pressure. OK, he makes some great saves, but that is what he is paid for.