‘Really impressed’: Mikel Arteta sings praises of Arsenal newboy Mat Ryan

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Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has said he has been really impressed with his new signing Mat Ryan, saying he has the right ‘desire and mentality’ he wants from his squad.

Ryan joined the Gunners recently in a surprise move from Brighton and Hove Albion. Mikel Arteta moved to bring in an experienced number two, with Alex Runarsson struggling to impress behind Bernd Leno.

And Arteta, speaking in his press conference today, says Ryan has made a big impression on him.

“He’s settled really quickly. I was really impressed when I talked to him,” Arteta told the club’s official site.

“He’s really focused, really engaged with what we want to do. He’s a very professional guy and he’s coming here to compete with Alex and with Bernd. That’s the mentality and the desire that we want for any player that joins our club.”

Ryan had previously been the number one for Brighton before surprisingly dropping down the pecking order. He’d made 121 PL appearances for the Seagulls, keeping 27 clean-sheets along the way.

The experienced Aussie will hope to have a similar impact to that of Emi Martinez. The now Aston Villa stopper proved crucial last term when Leno was injured, helping Arsenal to FA Cup success.

TBR View: Unsurprising from Arteta on Ryan here, he is a top pro

You get this a lot with goalkeepers so it’s little surprise to hear Ryan is knuckling down and getting stuck into his work at Arsenal.

It was an astute signing from Mikel Arteta, this. The Gunners needed someone to push Leno. They also needed someone they’d be confident in if he needed to play.

Ryan is a fine goalkeeper in his own right. He’d arguably be number one at some other PL clubs, so the Gunners can count themselves lucky.