Mark Schwarzer Keeps His January Move to Arsenal Open

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger generally does not do business in January transfer window, but the upcoming January transfer window could be different as he could again try to sign Fulham’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The 37-year-old keeper has also indicated that he would explore any opportunity of joining Arsenal in January. Wenger offered him a player-coach role this summer and had two bids rejected by Fulham who were then short of keeper due to injury problems.

Mark Schwarzer told to the media, “If there's an opportunity in January, then we'll explore it. It was probably one of my hardest periods ever. This is the only time in my career I have ever tried to force an issue. I don't have time on my side. If you were a 30-year-old you would walk away and say 'fair enough, I understand. But I'm almost 38 and I want to fulfil an ambition. The sheer opportunity that was there...”

Wenger was on the lookout for an experienced goalkeeper throughout the summer following some horrendous display by Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski last season. However, the Arsenal boss could not bring in any new keeper in the summer, leaving many Arsenal fans frustrated.

Most importantly, the recent performances of Arsenal number 1 Almunia might force Wenger to attempt to sign a new keeper in January uncharacteristically.

The Australian did not have a good start to the season but, he bounced back in the recent games. However, the question about whether Wenger’s interest in Schwarzer would remain same remains to be answered.

Arsenal’s Interest in Mark Schwarzer Leaves Almunia Unsettled

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has found his future with the Gunners uncertain as manager Arsene Wenger has kept trying to sign Fulham’s Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Wenger has been on the lookout for a new keeper throughout the summer as the performance of Almunia and his understudy Lukasz Fabianski was poor last season. They made a number of mistakes, costing Arsenal important points.

All the rumors and speculations regarding the arrival of a new keeper and its subsequent impact on Alumnia’s future at the North London club has made it difficult for the 33-year-old Spaniard to concentrate on the field. Almunia’s lack of confidence was even visible in his shaky performance during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

Arsenal has been linked with a number of goalkeepers all through the summer, but it seems Schwarzer has remained the no. 1 choice for Wenger. Arsenal has already had a £2 million bid rejected by Fulham who demands £4 million. There are still around 2 weeks left in the Summer transfer window. So, there are all the possibilities Wenger could make an improved offer to secure the service of Schwarzer.

Almunia has also revealed that he would consider his Arsenal future, if someone new come in, but as of now he is happy at Arsenal and does not want to talk about his future.