Mikel Arteta appears to have backtracked on his comments about back-up goalkeeper Alex Runarsson after putting the Iceland international up for sale.
Runarsson looked unimpressive in his first season at Arsenal, making just a handful of appearances, most of which game in the group stage of the Europa League.
The £1million arrival last summer was brought in to provide back-up to Bernd Leno, but an error-strewn performance against Manchester City saw Arteta bring in Mat Ryan from Brighton on loan for the rest of the season, demoting Runarsson to third choice.
Despite not finding another back-up option in goal, it looks as though Arteta is keen to sell Runarsson in this transfer window.
According to Goal, the Icelandic stopper is close to a move to Turkish side Altay Spor, who earned promotion to the Super Lig last season.
It does not yet appear clear whether it will be a permanent move or a loan switch, with the deal yet to be finalised.
Arteta insisted that Runarsson was an important member of the squad back in February, though he did not play in 2021 apart from a brief 15 minute cameo against Wolves.
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“He works really hard," said Arteta. “He has fit in really well around the dressing room.
"He is a really nice boy, really humble, and he needs to be away from all the comments and focus on his work, focus on improving.
“People expect when you go out there for you to give your best and perform at the top level - and if you don’t you are going to get criticism.
“You know that, before you join the club, that you are exposed all the time to critics and, as well, if you do really well everybody is going to be praising more than at any other club. You have to be able, if you want to play here, to handle that pressure."
Arteta also did not appear to rule out the possibility of Runarsson seriously challenging Leno for the no. 1 spot, but insisted he had to earn his place there after being signed initially to provide cover.
He said: "Alex knew his role before we signed him and obviously he knows his role after we signed him.
"We had a plan on the goalkeeper position and we could not execute the plan in the way we wanted, for different reasons, but Alex's role was very clear around the squad.
"That hasn't changed. Then, he needs to earn his opportunity and he needs to earn his place.
"He is third, second or first, depending on his performance. He needs to push for that."
