Arsenal have announced the signing of Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson on what is believed to be a five-year-deal.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Arsenal unveil new signing Alex Runarsson at London Colney on September 21, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Arsenal unveil new signing Alex Runarsson at London Colney on September 21, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have been looking to replace Emi Martinez and many were underwhelmed at the Icelandic player’s profile but it seems like he is coming in to replace Matt Macey who is still heading for the exit door this summer.

Arsenal are also trying to sign Brentford’s David Raya.

https://twitter.com/arsenal/status/1308085077746823173?s=21

Rúnarsson arrives from Dijon in France where he has made 45 first team appearances, conceding 78 goals.

He has, however, worked with Arsenal’s coach, Inaki Cana Pavon in the past.

Read more: What Arsenal goalkeeping coach Cana said about Rúnarsson

Rúnarsson was in and out of the Dijon team last season, appearing in 11 of their 28 league games. He got a run in the side directly before lockdown, starting four in a row.

The 25-year-old is also an Iceland international, with five caps so far. He made the squad for the most recent international break, featuring on the bench against England and Belgium. However, his last start was in November 2018.

https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/1305519701544652800

That means he’s not a regular for club nor country but, then, neither was Martinez before his 2019 loan to Reading.

If the rumours are true and Cana likes him, we’ll have to trust his judgement.

The Icelandic report claims the player will cost Arsenal around £1.5m (250m ISK).

He is expected to start against Leicester on Wednesday night.

Technical director Edu said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Alex to our squad. We have been monitoring him for some time and from the analysis, he has strong attributes that we look for in a goalkeeper and as a person.”

Mikel Arteta added: “We want to create healthy competition for places and we look forward to seeing Alex bring further depth to the goalkeeping position.”

“I’m just extremely happy, extremely proud, it is a big day for me and my family. I can’t wait to get started!” Runarsson told Arsenal.com.

“It is one of the biggest clubs in the world – they’ve won the Premier League 13 times, the FA Cup 14 times, it is a huge club and obviously playing in the Premier League as well, it is a win-win situation.

“I know it is going to be a lot of hard work, but I am ready to do everything I can to get the most amount of minutes as possible.”