MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 05:59:37| >> :120:27470:27470:

Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Runarsson ready for quiet nights in between the sticks

Runarsson was signed from Dijon in the summer as back-up to Bernd Leno.

Alex Runarsson admits he may have to adapt to quiet nights in the Arsenal goal after making his debut in Thursday's Europa League win over Dundalk.

The Iceland international was one of 11 changes made by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta for the 3-0 victory over the Irish champions.

Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Nicolas Pepe scored the goals either side of half-time to make it two wins from two in Group B.

Runarsson, signed from Dijon in the summer as back-up to Bernd Leno, had to wait until the visit of Dundalk to make his bow.

The 25-year-old conceded 59 goals in 34 Ligue 1 starts for his former club, keeping just five clean sheets in the process.

But he faced only one shot on target during the Dundalk win and, while he may have more difficult tests to come in his Arsenal future, Runarsson knows he will need to maintain his concentration levels for when he is called upon.

"I think that is normal playing for a club like Arsenal," he said when asked if he needs to stay alert when he is not busy.

"We have the ball a lot and there are going to be a lot of games like this.

"But you have to be alert for maybe the one or two chances and I was a little lucky it came at the beginning of the game, it gave me a good start.

"But I think this is going to be the image of a lot of games for Arsenal.

"I'm proud to have reached this achievement (making his debut) and I'm proud of the team that we got a very good win. All games in Europe are difficult so it is a very good result."

Runarsson was not the only player to make their Arsenal debut in the win, as highly-rated young forward Folarin Balogun came off the bench in the second-half.

The 19-year-old came through the ranks with the club and had been linked with a departure in recent months as his contract expires in the summer.

While rumours circulated Balogun was set to turn down any new offer to leave, Arteta said on Thursday that he hopes the teenager has a future at the Emirates Stadium.

Asked about making his debut and what he can offer Arsenal, Balogun replied: "It's been tough.

"I've been at a few other clubs doing trials and stuff like that but I've been working my way through the academy and I think as time has gone on I've become a better player.

Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Folarin Balogun at the club.
Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Folarin Balogun at the club (Matt Dunham/PA)

"I think that's shown in my performances and I think it's good now to get the recognition that my performances deserve.

"They (Arsenal fans) are going to see lots of energy, and I'd like to say lots of goals.

"I think I'd like to carry my performances from the youth team into the first team. That's what got me here so it's important I carry on playing the way I do."

ID:420380: cacheID:420380:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7443:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson in September 2019.
Read Next:
Mikel Arteta: 'Reiss Nelson did not want to leave Arsenal on loan'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!