Arsenal Transfers: 5 Areas Wenger Must Strengthen To Compete

By Simon Gallagher /

4. Goalkeeping Competition

In the past few years, the Arsenal goalkeeper position has suffered its problems, with excellent custodians few and far between since David Seaman retired, and the current situation with Wojciech Szcz™sny backed by Lukasz Fabianski, who has made only 27 appearances since 2007, and 24-year-old Vito Mannone who has made just 6 since 2006 (as well as three loan moves). Szcz™sny is still only 22, and possesses the composure, shot-stopping skills and ability to command his area that could well see him make the number one jersey his own for the next ten years at least, but if he were to get injured for a long period, Arsene Wenger might not be quite so confident about his back-up options. This is perhaps why the manager has been credited with a potential move for French international 'keeper Hugo Lloris from Lyon - a big money deal for a player who you would suspect would be offered the chance to take the number one shirt from Szcz™sny as one of the benefits of coming in at the Emirates. Whatever happens in this transfer window, Arsene Wenger could certainly do with more competition in the goalkeeping pool of talent, if only to ensure that Szcz™sny doesn't get complacent.