Pundit Exclusive: Arsenal tipped to seal new signing after 25-yr-old opens exit talks | OneFootball

Arsenal cannot allow Alex Runarsson to leave the club this month without signing a replacement.

That is the view of former Gunners striker Kevin Campbell, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the prospect of the 25-year-old departing the Emirates on loan.

Runarrson was signed from French side Dijon for a fee of £1.8million in the summer to provide back-up to undisputed number one Bernd Leno.

However, Football Insider revealed earlier this week that the goalkeeper has held talks with a European club over an exit after he was told he can join a new team ahead of the transfer deadline.

The Iceland international has made five appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, his last a very shaky display in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City in the EFL Cup.

When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of Runarsson’s future, Campbell said:

“We would have to sign a replacement before we let him go.

“I think they are going to loan him out.

“Look, at the end of the day, they mentioned in the summer that they could not sign the goalkeeper that they wanted. They had to get someone in and Runarsson is probably a third choice.

“Runarsson’s performances have proven that he is not quite ready for a club like Arsenal yet. Get him out on loan and let him get some minutes.

“In the mean time get somebody in who can deputise for Leno, who really is excelling right now.”

In other news, one Arsenal player is “a shadow” of his former self, according to Kevin Campbell.