Is Wenger Looking in the Wrong Place?

While the summer transfer rumour-mill has relentlessly linked Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer with a move to the Emirates, the answer to Arsene Wenger’s biggest problem, surely lies within Eastland’s rather than at Craven Cottage.   

Joe Hart should be Wenger’s priority in the transfer market. It would require paying top dollar but Hart would solve a problem that defines longevity at Arsenal and it would be a long term investment. 

Not since David Seaman have Arsenal boasted any kind of stability between the sticks and it is quite baffling to think that Wenger would rather pay for a 37-year-old Australian, rather than for Hart, who has 14 years on his Australian counter-part.

Taking nothing away from Schwarzer as he is a solid campaigner and would sturdy the Gunners’ backline. But common sense should prevail or Arsenal could face a reoccurrence of this quandary in two or three years, when the big Aussie ultimately calls time. 

Come the end of this transfer window if Hart remains part of the ever-growing stock pile at Eastland’s, it will be criminal. Barring maybe two or three he would be a first choice goalkeeper at most Premiership clubs.

Going out on-loan provides experience for young players, Hart needs doesn’t need experience though he needs an employer who can help him fulfil his undoubted potential. 

In three appearances Hart has made for his country he looked assured and unflappable, attributes that are Manuel Almunia’s most prominent shortcoming’s.

Almunia must do nothing for confidence at the Emirates, but signing Schwarzer would surely just plaster over the cracks. 

The problem for any club interested in Hart though, is the Premier League’s introduction of the 25-man-squad rule - requiring eight of those to be ‘home-grown’, means Roberto Mancini must see Hart as integral to his season’s plan.

During his loan spell last season at St. Andrews Hart was arguably goalkeeper of the year, that must be catalyst enough for Wenger to make him the subject of a big money move.    

Fabio Capello needs him to move on more than anyone. One of the Italians many mistakes was not appointing Hart as England’s no1 prior to South Africa. Hart does not need a lack of first-team football this season to stand in the way of his natural progression.

The last six Premiership titles have been shared between Manchester United and Chelsea, what is one of the underlying common denominators? A top class goalkeeper.

All the ‘total’ football oozing out of the Emirates counts for nothing if the Arsenal backline do not feel protected when they are breached. They will not win any significant silverware until they can truly rely on their keeper. 

Arsenal could answer Hart’s problem and Hart could reciprocate in solving theirs. Wenger should be busting a gut to enlist the services of an England keeper, seemingly surplus to requirements at Manchester City.