Arsène Wenger is scheduling changes to the first-team goalkeeping position, but the potential shake up will not affect Reserve team prospects Wojciech Szczęsny and Vito Mannone. The youngsters have signed long-term contracts at the club and Wenger met with both before the World Cup. The Frenchman has previously been linked with a selection of goalkeepers, all varying in age. However, it’s expected that any transfer he does make, would only be short term.
The ideal situation is for a vastly experienced goalkeeper to be signed for one or two seasons, allowing Wojciech Szczęsny and Vito Mannone chance to gain match time on loan. Many believe Mark Schwarzer could be that player, with his agent holding talks with the Gunners recently. Wojciech Szczęsny and Vito Mannone have returned to pre-season training and Ivan Gazidis is in negotiations with a large number of club’s over loan spells for the two.
A verdict on where or if they go is expected when Wenger returns from television duty in South Africa, but it remains clear that the pair are very much the long term future of Arsenal. Youth team stoppers James Shea and Sean McDermott have also recently signed new contracts, but they are not seen as feasible options for the first-team at present.