SM
Spurs vs. Man United: 21 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson ready for quiet nights in between the sticks

:Headline: Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson ready for quiet nights in between the sticks: ID:420380: from db_amp
Runarsson was signed from Dijon in the summer as back-up to Bernd Leno.

Alex Runarsson admits he may have to adapt to quiet nights in the Arsenal goal after making his debut in Thursday's Europa League win over Dundalk.

The Iceland international was one of 11 changes made by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta for the 3-0 victory over the Irish champions.

Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Nicolas Pepe scored the goals either side of half-time to make it two wins from two in Group B.

Runarsson, signed from Dijon in the summer as back-up to Bernd Leno, had to wait until the visit of Dundalk to make his bow.

The 25-year-old conceded 59 goals in 34 Ligue 1 starts for his former club, keeping just five clean sheets in the process.

But he faced only one shot on target during the Dundalk win and, while he may have more difficult tests to come in his Arsenal future, Runarsson knows he will need to maintain his concentration levels for when he is called upon.

"I think that is normal playing for a club like Arsenal," he said when asked if he needs to stay alert when he is not busy.

"We have the ball a lot and there are going to be a lot of games like this.

"But you have to be alert for maybe the one or two chances and I was a little lucky it came at the beginning of the game, it gave me a good start.

“You have to be alert for maybe the one or two chances and I was a little lucky it came at the beginning of the game, it gave me a good start”
- Alex Runarsson

"But I think this is going to be the image of a lot of games for Arsenal.

"I'm proud to have reached this achievement (making his debut) and I'm proud of the team that we got a very good win. All games in Europe are difficult so it is a very good result."

Runarsson was not the only player to make their Arsenal debut in the win, as highly-rated young forward Folarin Balogun came off the bench in the second-half.

The 19-year-old came through the ranks with the club and had been linked with a departure in recent months as his contract expires in the summer.

While rumours circulated Balogun was set to turn down any new offer to leave, Arteta said on Thursday that he hopes the teenager has a future at the Emirates Stadium.

Asked about making his debut and what he can offer Arsenal, Balogun replied: "It's been tough.

"I've been at a few other clubs doing trials and stuff like that but I've been working my way through the academy and I think as time has gone on I've become a better player.

Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Folarin Balogun at the club (Matt Dunham/PA)

"I think that's shown in my performances and I think it's good now to get the recognition that my performances deserve.

"They (Arsenal fans) are going to see lots of energy, and I'd like to say lots of goals.

"I think I'd like to carry my performances from the youth team into the first team. That's what got me here so it's important I carry on playing the way I do."

amp_article__420380 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-21 17:28:28:
html db last update - 2020-11-21 17:28:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Folarin Balogun

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .