Arsenal are interested in making a move for Icelandic international goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson, according to reports.

The link comes as the current backup to Bernd Leno, Emiliano Martinez, edges closer towards the exit door at the Emirates as he looks set to seal a move to Aston Villa.

The Argentian, stopper who did so well at the backend of the 2019/20 campaign, clearly feels his time has come to step out and be the main man, and who can blame him?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta could have found his replacement immediately with the four-times capped Iceland international on the radar and available for what could be a very low fee.

The 25-year-old watched on from the bench recently as England beat Iceland 1-0 in Reykjavik.

Runarsson, who currently plies his trade in France, had a mixed season last term with Dijon, only making 11 Ligue 1 appearances.

Having left his home city in 2015 to sign for Danish side FC Nordsjælland, Runarsson made his big move into one of Europe’s elite leagues in 2018.

At first, things worked out well for the Icelandic stopper, making 25 league appearances Dijon’s number one, however, now he has fallen behind in the pecking order to Alfred Gomis.

Whilst the signing of a backup keeper mightn’t excite the fanbase too much, Arsenal and Arteta know all too well the importance of a reliable understudy, having watched Martinez come in for the final games of the season and flourish.