Arsenal have completed the first of the three signings that Mikel Arteta wants to make before the January transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan has signed on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, filling the void left by Matt Macey's permanent move to Scottish side Hibernian.
The Australian, a boyhood Arsenal fan, will provide depth beyond Bernd Leno between the sticks and has been registered in time for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Southampton.
Ryan will wear the number 33 shirt at Arsenal, which was previously occupied by Macey and has formerly been worn by Petr Cech.
While Leno will remain first-choice, Ryan could find opportunities in the FA Cup and Europa League over the remaining months of the season, which could help to result in a permanent transfer.
Business for Arsenal this month is not done though, with Arteta looking to add a creative midfielder and a left-back to his squad before the deadline.
Martin Odegaard is close to joining Ryan at the club on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season and a departure of a non-homegrown player will need to occur to make room in the squad for the Norway international.
Runar Alex Runarsson and Shkodran Mustafi are the two leading candidates to leave before the deadline, with both potentially on their way out dependent on Arteta's other plans.
The hunt for a left-back to provide depth beyond Kieran Tierney will likely orientate around finding a homegrown player to slot easily into the squad but, if not, two spots will need to be created - likely by the aforementioned pair.
That means Arsenal could have as many as four more transfer deals being tied up in the final week of the window.
