Mat Ryan is line to be awarded his Arsenal debut when the Gunners face Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday lunchtime.
That is according to a report by Hjorvar Haflioason, who is part of the Dr. Football Podcast.
Following the sending-off of first choice shot-stopper Bernd Leno during the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Tuesday evening, it appeared as though Icelandic goalkeeper Alex Runarsson would be in line to start between the sticks because of Ryan struggling with fitness issues.
During Thursday's pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: "He’s not been available to train yet and Alex is available so we will have a choice to make for the weekend."
However, Arteta, when pressed on whether or not Ryan could stake a claim to be handed a debut this weekend, should he have returned to training ahead of the trip to the Midlands, added: "Yes, if Mat is able to train and they are both fit then we have a decision to make. If Mat is not fit, then, obviously Alex will be in goal."
Therefore, according to reports in Iceland, it appears as though Ryan, who joined the Gunners on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in the latter stages of the January transfer window, could be set to win his debut for the club.
During Thursday's press conference, Arteta was pushed on whether or not the decision to potentially ask Runarsson to start a Premier League game so soon after being axed from the club's Europa League squad would be harsh.
Since joining the Gunners from French outfit Dijon last summer, the 25-year-old has come in for heavy criticism from sections of the Arsenal fan base, particularly for the errors he made during the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City just prior to Christmas.
On the Icelandic, Arteta said: "Alex knew his role before we signed and him and obviously he knows his role after we signed him.
"We had a plan on the goalkeeping positions and we could not execute the plan the way we wanted for different reasons.
"But Alex’s role was very clear around the squad and that hasn’t changed. He needs to earn his opportunity and he needs to earn his place.
"Whether it’s first second or first depending on his performance. And he needs to push for that."
However, should reports emerging from Iceland be accurate, Ryan looks set to earn his debut for the Gunners and start in Leno's absence against Dean Smith's side on Saturday lunchtime.
