Mat Ryan vows to push Arsenal goalkeper Bernd Leno after ‘surreal’ move to boyhood club

Mat Ryan has vowed to push Bernd Leno all the way after joining Arsenal from Brighton.

Ryan has joined the Gunners on loan until the end of the season, with the club not having the option to make the deal permanent in the summer.

The Australian will come in and be a back-up to first-choice Arsenal goalkeeper Leno, with Alex Runarsson possibly heading out on loan.

Ryan is aware he has a tough task on his hands to dislodge Leno, but he has vowed to challenge the German.

“I’ve never been a goalkeeper where I’ve liked to sit on the bench,” Ryan told Arsenal’s official website.

“I’m sure every goalkeeper says that, but I’ve come here under the circumstances where Bernd has obviously done a great job for the club in his time since he’s arrived and he’s a very top-quality goalkeeper.

“But I believe also that I’ve shown that in my career until now also and I’m looking to come in here and push him and him push me. Like I said, we’ll try to get the best out of one another and to improve as individuals.

“If we can do that, then who’s going to be getting the nod on matchday with the number of games that we have in all the competitions that we’re still alive in? It’s going to be who’s in the best form and that’s only going to help the team to perform better and to get better results hopefully.

“So I’m very eager and keen to be here and get to work and start creating some nice memories through being successful.”

Ryan is delighted to have joined Arsenal after revealing he supported the team as child growing up in Australia.

“There’s still an aura of surrealness to it all, to be honest,” he added.

“I’m really proud, it’s great and it’s hard to sort of put into words the emotions and feeling that this is becoming a reality.

“All those mornings as a young kid in Australia, getting up to watch the Champions League games and all that at four o’clock in the morning when I had school and these types of things.

“The support back in the Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp days, all these sorts of things, to now be here fills me with a great sense of pride and achievement.

“I’m just looking to do the best that I can for the club and represent the club in the best possible way and ultimately help the club to achieve more success.”

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