Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Mat Ryan ahead of Arsenal's clash with Aston Villa.
The Australian is in line to start at Villa Park on Saturday after Bernd Leno was sent off for handling the ball outside the box against Wolves in midweek.
However, after the match at Molineux, Arteta revealed that the January signing is carrying an injury and may not be able to play meaning the Gunners may be forced to call upon third choice goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.
And now the Arsenal boss has provided the latest on this fitness of his number two stopper.
"He’s not been available to train yet," said Arteta when asked about Ryan's fitness. "Alex is available so we will have a choice to make for the weekend."
The Gunners boss then seemed to imply that if the Australian was fit to play then he would start, but insisted that he wold be fine with the prospect of Runarsson making his first ever Premier League start.
"Yes, if Mat is able to train and they are both fit then we have a decision to make," he said. "If Mat is not fit then obviously Alex will be in goal."
The opportunity for the Iceland international comes in the same week as he was left out of Arsenal's Europa League squad for the knockout stages.
But Arteta said he didn't think this would be an issue when it came to potentially playing in the Premier League on Saturday.
"No. Alex knew his role before we signed and him and obviously he knows his role after we signed him," he said.
"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."
Runarsson was brought in from Dijon from Dijon during the summer transfer window for a minimal fee and has not exactly impressed this season during his outings in the Europa League and Carabao Cup, while an error after coming on against Wolves on Tuesday was greeted with frustration by his teammates Gabriel and Granit Xhaka.
However, Arteta backed the Iceland goalkeeper to have the strength of character to turn things around if he is called upon at Villa Park.
"Yeah, and he works really hard," he said when asked about the players capability to improve on his form.
"He’s fitted really well around the dressing room, he’s a really nice boy, really humble.
"He needs to be away from all the comments and focus on his work, focus on improving. And when he’s got the chance, to perform the best possible way."
