Wenger to sign goalkeeper and centreback before deadline

Mark Schwarzer (picture courtesy p_a_h)

If you read very closely between the lines of recent comments by Arsene Wenger you can just about hear him admitting that he intends to sign both a goalkeeper and an experienced centreback before the transfer deadline.

Which is good news because these are the two positions that most observers believe that Arsenal need to strengthen to be in with a genuine chance of winning the league.

On the centreback situation, Wenger said:

"We are looking around, but at the moment nothing will happen before the match, so it will be Koscielny and Vermaelen who will start."

That suggestes that not only is Arsene still looking to sign a centreback, but that it will be one who is capable of competing with Koscielny and Vermaelen for a first team place.

On the keeper situation he said:

"I don't know yet [who will start], we will have to wait until Sunday afternoon."

"What is important at the moment is for us to focus on players who are in the squad and not give too much room to any speculation."

"I believe that we have goalkeepers who have quality and class and they have a good opportunity to show that on Sunday."

If you analyse this very carefully you will see that he is saying:

"I want to sign a new goalkeeper, but I don't want to damage the already fragile confidence of Almunia and Fabianski, one of whom will need to start on Sunday in a very tough match against Liverpool."

That goalkeeper could well be Mark Schwarzer, who has asked for a transfer and has been left out of Fulham's squad for today's match against away to Bolton (supposedly due to injury), which suggets that the move could happen soon.

Speaking about a potential move, Schwarzer said:

"I need it to happen. I’ve had a couple of chats with Mark and it’s delicately poised. Who wouldn't be keen to go to Arsenal? At this stage in my career. It's an amazing opportuity to play at that level and one I really want to take."

"It's taken a long time and the season's very close. On one hand you understand them [Fulham] not wanting to disrupt too many things but I want things resolved as quickly as possible. Only time will tell whether that happens or not."

So, things are looking good. Of course, as many have lately observed, buying a footballer is not like buying a packet of crisps. First the player's club must be willing to sell and agree a price, then the player himself has to want to move and agree to the terms that the buying club are offering.

However, this is positive news and I wouldn't be surprised if a keeper at least arrives very shortly. I'm keeping everything crossed.

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Wenger to sign goalkeeper and centreback before deadline