AUSTRALIA GOALIE MAKES ARSENAL DEBUT
Australia goalkeeper Matt Ryan impressed on his debut for Arsenal at the weekend during the disappointing loss to Aston Villa in the Premier League. He made his debut for the Gunners during the game played at Villa Park to become player no. 880 to play for the North London outfit.
The Australia national team goalkeeper has been vocal about how he supported Arsenal as a boy in his native Australia. He was handed the chance to play for the team he supported while growing up following his row with Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter.
Matt Ryan had been the first choice shot stopper at Brighton before Graham Potter made the decision to drop him from his starting XI earlier this season. The Australia goalkeeper was subsequently told that he could leave the club and the offer to join the Gunners was irresistible for him. Matt Ryan signed for Arsenal on loan last month for the rest of this season.
Matt Ryan was able to make his debut in the Premier League following the dismissal of first choice Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno last week during the league game at Wolves.Leno was one of two Arsenal players sent off as the Gunners lost 2-1 to hosts Wolves after going a goal up through Nicholas Pepe. David Luiz was the other Arsenal player sent off, while Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho got the goals for the midlands club. Arsenal and Matt Ryan were also on the losing side when they faced another midlands club in the form of Aston Villa. Matt Ryan had to pick the ball out of his net inside the first two minutes of the game even before he made a touch. Villa striker Ollie Watkins scored that lone goal to hand his team a 1-0 home win. Matt Ryan made several saves to keep Villa at bay for the rest of the game especially in the second half.