‘I have to believe’: Alex Runarsson admits Arsenal move could be make or break

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Arsenal’s new goalkeeper, Alex Runarsson, has conceded he has taken a big gamble in move to The Emirates as he looks to fight with Bernd Leno for the number one spot.

The Icelandic stopper completed a move to the Gunners late in the window as Mikel Arteta opted to sell Emi Martinez and replace him with the inexperienced Runarsson.

The 25-year-old has made a handful of European appearances so far and is firmly behind Leno in the pecking order. But Runarsson insists he has to believe in himself, if he is to make his Arsenal career a success.

“As a professional footballer, you improve when you are put in difficult conditions and playing in this kind of pressure will either make you or break you. But I definitely like the challenge. It’s one of the big reasons that I joined because I knew it would help me improve as a football player,” Runarsson told The Mirror.

“If it happens or not, if it happens in one week, one month or one year, that always has to be your mentality – because otherwise you’re in the wrong profession I think. I have to have this mentality that I can play and I have to believe it and show it.”

Runarsson signed a deal with Arsenal believed to be in the region of £40k-a-week. However, it looks like he might get a few chances under Mikel Arteta as he continues to settle into life in north London.

Runarsson showing the confidence all top goalkeepers need – TBR View

Any goalkeeper needs to display determination and grit in order to be successful. You are fighting with one or two other players, meaning when chances do come, you have to take them.

Runarsson has started well and in Leno, has a good mentor to learn from as well. His future looks good and if he can keep this determination on show here, he’ll eventually be successful.