Mat Ryan has revealed the role Mikel Arteta's network of contacts had in helping him secure his move to Arsenal.
The Australian international joined the Gunners on loan from Brighton for the rest of the season in the January transfer window after falling out of favour at the Amex.
With Bernd Leno suspended for the trip to Aston Villa, Ryan was given the chance to make his debut for the club he supported as a boy where he impressed despite conceding to Ollie Watkins before even touching the ball.
And now the former Valencia stopper has revealed that he may not have been playing at Villa Park at all if it were not for the intervention of one of his idols.
After being dropped by Graham Potter and told he could leave Brighton, Ryan found himself at a crossroads in his career last month.
Speaking to the Socceroos podcast, the Australian revealed that it was former Everton striker Tim Cahill who he turned to at his hour of need for advice.
"I actually made a phone call to Tim Cahill," he said. "Me with my ambition, I wanted to stay at the highest level at the top of the game. In my experiences I've heard stories and seen myself how far just a little conversation between people can go.
"Knowing how respected he is in the game I just asked him if I had what it takes to be a Premier League goalkeeper playing at a top club.
"I just asked if he could listen out to see if there was anyone looking around for a goalkeeper and, if he thought I was worthy of mentioning, if he could bring me up as a potential target perhaps if someone was looking.
"I knew his close relationship with David Moyes who's at West Ham now and who he was with at Everton. Obviously Mikel Arteta was his teammate and he's doing his coaching badges up at Everton as well.
"So I went out on a limb to see if anything could be sparked into action a little bit and he said leave it with me and see what comes up.
"I think he was probably the one who planted the seed in Mikel Arteta's mind. Perhaps he went on and did his homework a little bit.
"I think they were looking to bring in someone in the goalkeeping department after losing (Emi) Martinez in the summer just before the window closed there."
As Ryan mentioned Arteta played alongside Cahill at Everton for six seasons and Arteta himself did admit that his former teammate's recommendation played a part in his decision to sign the Australian international.
"I did speak to him obviously because I always like to have information with players, with coaches that have spent time with them," Arteta said in a press conference.
"I got really positive feedback from Tim as well as other people. When you have reliable sources, you feel much more confident to make any decision."
Despite his impressive performance at Villa Park, Ryan is likely to be on the bench again when Arsenal host Leeds this Sunday, with Leno set to return from his one match suspension.
