Socceroo goalkeeper Mat Ryan’s move to Arsenal made headlines last week, as the lone Aussie Premier League regular made an emotional move to London.
As a boyhood Gunners fan, Ryan was clear when explaining the passion he felt for the club and the honour he know feels in being given the opportunity to represent it on the pitch.
The reality of his short term future in an Arsenal jersey will be mainly cup fixtures and a back-up role to Bernd Leno, with the German having done little wrong this season in an improving team.
Where that leaves Ryan in the long term is uncertain. Regular football must, as always, be a priority for our Socceroos playing abroad; something the 28-year-old has enjoyed in 121 games at Brighton and Hove Albion.
When Graham Arnold receives the all clear to re-assemble his squad for the first two of the four remaining matches in the current phase of World Cup qualification beginning in late March, a sharp Mat Ryan will be an important cog in it.
Mathew Ryan of Australia (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Barring quarantine issues preventing overseas based players from participating, which I would guess is still a hypothetical reality, the Sydney born shot stopper would no doubt be a clear first pick in national colours.
However, based on the current depth and form in Australia’s goal keeping stocks, even Ryan himself would be under no illusions that his selection is ever automatic.
Mitch Langerak kept 17 clean sheets during the 2020 J-League season with Nagoya Grampus and still looms as the likely number two to Ryan in Arnold’s thinking, however another former A-League star is also impressing abroad.
Danny Vukovic has now made near 100 league starts for KRC Genk. The Belgian club sits third on the ladder, with the Australian the number one man on a week to week basis, as his team continues its seemingly forlorn chase of runaway leader Club Brugge.
Should circumstances force Arnold to seek a domestic player to fill Ryan’s shoes in the upcoming games, there is a host of men suitable and deserved of an opportunity.
Andrew Redmayne continues his extended run of stellar play, with Sydney’s problems existing at the other end of the pitch and nowhere near Redmayne’s goal mouth.
Adam Federici has reminded everyone of his class since returning to Australia with Macarthur FC. From game one he has been switched on, decisive and while many would suggest it is unlikely the 35-year-old would receive a call up from Arnold at this stage of his career, it would not be undeserved based on form.
Any A-League fans not taking notice of Mark Birighitti’s continued excellence on the Central Coast need to observe more closely. Capped for the Socceroos in 2013 and still just 29, Birighitti has been nothing but superb this season; finally playing consistently in Australia again after a few ponderous years abroad.
A duo of young, improving and consistent Australian keepers are also waiting in the wings for an opportunity and Arnold will be closely monitoring their stages of development, both during this A-League season and if the Olyroos do eventually make the trip to Tokyo to compete in an already postponed Olympics.
Many doubted that Daniel Margush had the poise and experience to take on the duties at Western Sydney as the club’s number one, yet the Adelaide born keeper has been superb for the Wanderers.
A few positional errors and decisions have let him down at times, however like Melbourne City’s Tom Glover, he is just a handful of years away from becoming the finished article.
Now 23, Glover commands his box like a veteran and many believe the man born in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney is the long term replacement for Ryan in national colours.
Just as the A-League has begun with a thunderous bang, as young stars emerge in what many claimed would be a competition that more resembled a wasteland, so too have the goal keepers been superb.
Position wise, it is most likely the one that Graham Arnold loses sleep over the least; knowing that there are a host of current directions in which he could turn depending upon circumstances.
It would probably be best for the Socceroos chances over the next 12 months if Mat Ryan were to play the custodian role most of the time.
However, the current crop of Australian keepers is something of which to be proud and any additional shot stoppers who do receive the chance to aid the Socceroos chances of progressing to the World Cup in 2022, will do so having well deserved the opportunity.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Good thing he was not on the field at any stage during Southampton's 9-0 loss to Manchester United. He's listed on the bench, and stayed there. Might get a start now.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Still the position of least concern for the national team given so many reliable players ready to step in. More concern is how bad the hip injury is if Ryan had any hopes of extending an Arsenal contract with few opportunities.
jbinnie
Guest
Stuart - Comment reminds one of story about the career of goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson .In 1964 ,aged 34,Simpson was signed (as a veteran) as cover for Celtic's goalkeeper. He already had had a reasonably successful career for many years in England with Newcastle United but in the following 6 years he amassed a collection that contained a European Cup medal in 1967, 4 league Championship medals , 1 Scottish Cup medal, and 1 league Cup medal. all with Celtic. Not a bad haul for a "back-up signing'. who by now was aged 40. Cheers jb ps He was also selected at age 37, to represent Scotland against world champions England in the famous Scottish Victory at Wembley in 1967..
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Well we have that quantity of outfield players in similar leagues. 4-5 attackers in Scotland, Bundesliga 1 and 2, Israel and Japan. 4-5 Midfielders in Scotland, Championship, Bundesliga, Greece and elsewhere. 4-5 defenders in Championship, Belgium, Turkey, Serbia. Problem is we need way more of each position playing overseas to remain competitive internationally, which we haven't been doing for a few years now. And obviously covid will make it worse, as you've pointed out.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
Matt ryan still aevru good keeper for Australia
AGO74
Guest
Until Ryan's recent fall from grace, we had 4 keepers (Ryan/Langerak/Vukovic/Thomas) playing regularly in good to excellent Euro/Asian leagues. Plus there is a fairly strong supply of GK's locally also. If only the Socceroos could supply similar quantities of players in outfield positions. My best guess is Ryan knows the odds are against him at Arsenal but has decided to take a six month all-in gamble see if the chips fall his way and if not, then leave Brighton in the northern summer. A loan move like this is a lot less likely for a keeper to pay off when compared to an outfield player but it has happened.... More broadly, the other thing is that the football world like the rest of the planet is in a state of disarray right now so the opportunities that would ordinarily be there for Ryan just aren't. Even in six months time in the summer with continued vaccine roll-out and (hopefully) some measure or path to football economic recovery/certainty, I'd expect the avenues available for Ryan then will be much greater than they are right now. Look at Jackson Irvine's experience as an example. He's obviously no Lionel Messi but he's a more than capable Championship level player. There is no way this time 1 to 2 years ago he'd have been out of the game for 7-8 months before getting picked up like he has only just been done so now by Hibs.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
izzo is matchfit, hes been training day in day out. My understanding was he was going there virtually guaranteed to be Xanthis #1. I think he might have a bit of home sickness, even though theres several aussies in that squad (most arent playing). It does take a few months to acclimatise to a new country/ league. He also had that car crash in adelaide before leaving, could be some lingering mental health issues there from that.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
that stat that potter used, what was it? XG, XGA coupled with his save % is the mitigating factor for him being allowed to leave brighton. Thought he was a bit unlucky to have been told he has no future there. but given how brighton have been performing of late, maybe potter was right. Might be slightly early to judge that
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Redmayne's move to SFC and subsequent promotion when DV left has to be the most fortuitous move in A league history. He was really struggling in a poor side at WSW and he suddenly found himself as first choice keeper in the strongest side around and one that was going to finish top and possibly win finals. His confidence must have skyrocketed and he has done really well for himself and his game has improved out of sight. I have yet to meet a WSW fan who was sorry to see him leave which makes it a win/win all round! Not sure about international call ups but I can see why he is mentioned in despatches.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
yes- my thoughts exactly. I understand the attraction but a dangerous proposition. I have peeped in at that side a few times and look at their line up of overseas players - it just seemed a bit disproportionate by comparison to other clubs.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
and I really miss seeing him between the sticks for MV. I enjoyed his work and partnership with Delpierre - they just seemed to click nicely and Delpierre was so calm and assured. Don't see too many players like that in the A League.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
funny you say that about goalkeepers needing to be in form as really that is what has driven this piece. Brighton did not consider Matt Ryan's form to be good enough to warrant selection and so he moved on but will he get the opportunity to shine?
Dennis
Guest
The tackle was made not to protect the keeper but because the attacker was through on goal and would have scored. Standard red card. It did not help that Milligan is not as fast as he was.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Was a poor tackle that did cost them although I'm not too sure it has a much to do with Milligan's thoughts on his keeper.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I did think of Lawrence but had not really heard much of how he was going. Another man that would not let anyone done if called into a squad.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Four goals against and one poor moment do not offset his excellent positional play and decision making the rest of the time. He is in top form and every keeper on the planet has had a nervy moment in the last month.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Theme song, "I've been everywhere man". Great stalwart Reddy, planned dozens of brilliant games.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Really sad reading what Izzo is experiencing right now, unless he is hurt and I don't know about it, not getting the chances in Greek second tier. Far better off elsewhere. I can't help but think those players who followed Popovic there may not be doing themselves much of a favour.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Not quite sure the thrust of this piece was to replace Ryan. More that there are plenty of good options out there for Arnold should he need them. As I said, Ryan is a clear first picked.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That is indeed true Brian. Not sure of the point you are making. If it is that they are on the 'wrong' side of thirty, I'd suggest you have a look at some of the great men between the sticks and check the years they peaked and their subsequent age.