Arsenal Transfers: Predicting Arsene Wenger's 5 August Signings

5. Julio Cesar

Julio Cesar Arsenal are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer after a series of inconsistent performances by incumbent No.1 Wojciech Szcz™sny last season. The Polish shot-stopper was dropped for a series of key games last term, such as the second leg clash with Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and lost his place to ukasz Fabia„ski toward the end of last season. At 23, Arsene Wenger is looking for a goalkeeper with more experience and QPR's Julio Cesar ticks all the right boxes. The Brazilian will almost certainly quit Loftus Road this summer following the Hoop's relegation to the Championship and a move to Napoli appeared to be on the cards, until that fell through with the Italian side instead signing Liverpool's Pepe Reina on loan. And that leaves the door open for Arsenal to make a move for the former Inter Milan ace. Cesar has reams of experience having won the Champions League in 2010, while the 33-year-old has also been named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year for two years running in 2009 and again in 2010. He was also named UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year three years ago and won the Golden Glove Award at this summer's Confederations Cup after helping Brazil to glory against Spain. Cesar is affordable given his situation at QPR and wants a move as well, while Arsenal need a steady pair of hands between the sticks this season.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.