Report: Arsenal eye Dijon goalkeeper Runar Runarsson to replace Emi Martinez

The Icelandic stopper has been identified as a replacement for the Argentine.

Arsenal are trying to sign Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson to replace Emiliano Martinez, according to The Telegraph.

The man who helped Arsenal to an FA Cup success last season has joined Aston Villa for £20 million, leaving the Gunners in need of competition for Bernd Leno.

Runarsson played for Dijon in Ligue 1 and Arsenal are thought to have spoken with the French outfit regarding a deal for his signature.

The 25-year-old signed for his current club in the summer of 2018 from Nordsjaelland, playing 45 games since his arrival.

During his time at the Danish club, he worked alongside Inaki Cana who is now the goalkeeping coach in place at the Emirates Stadium.

The stopper has fallen down the pecking order at Dijon and is thought to be available for just £1.5 million this summer (Metro).

Runarsson is currently the second-choice custodian for the Iceland national team and was included in their squad for the World Cup in 2018.

Martinez played 12 times following the return to football during the 2019/20 campaign and seemed to establish himself.

The Argentine wanted guarantees over first-team football though and plenty of Arsenal fans will wish Mikel Arteta had seen enough to offer him a new deal.

Nonetheless, it would seem Leno is the Gunners number one for the foreseeable and with Martinez’s contract running down, Arsenal were perhaps wise to cash in.

TBR View – Runarsson would have a lot to prove arriving at Arsenal

The Icelandic stopper might not be the most glamorous choice to act as a deputy to Leno moving forward.

Fans had warmed to Martinez and his departure will be met with some sadness among the Arsenal fanbase.

Runarsson has kept just seven clean sheets from his 45 matches in the Dijon first team, with just 11 shutouts coming from 62 games as the Nordsjaelland stopper.

Of course, the 25-year-old won’t play all that much but it’s fair to suggest that the jury might remain out on Runarsson for a while if he completes a move to Arsenal.

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