Arsenal kept their faint hopes of clinching a top-four spot in the Premier League alive with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium but it was a player on the visiting side who grabbed the headlines.

Sunderland’s 23-year-old England international Jordan Pickford put in a brilliant performance between the sticks for the already relegated Black Cats, saving 11 of Arsenal’s 13 shots on target- including a spectacular diving save to tip a Shkodran Mustafi header onto the bar.

With David Moyes’ side poised for at least a year in the Championship, Pickford will almost certainly be on the move this summer- and Arsenal should ensure they win the race for the youngster’s services and bring him to North London.

Since the days of Jens Lehmann, Arsenal have struggled to find a top-class goalkeeper in their squad and even the signing of Premier League legend Petr Cech from Chelsea hasn’t quite worked out as planned, as the veteran has certainly regressed in the twilight years of his career.

David Ospina has also looked hapless at times, and his frustrated with his lack of playing opportunities, whilst Wojciech Szczesny is unlikely to be restored into the first-team frame anytime soon despite two successful seasons on-loan with Roma.

Arsenal’s first-choice stopper Cech is now 34, turning 35 next season, and he would certainly benefit from having more competition for his spot- and Pickford would also reap the rewards from learning from an experienced stopper like Cech.

Arsene Wenger has often rotated his goalkeeping options in recent years, utilising Cech in the Premier League and Ospina in the cup competitions, and this role could be perfect for Pickford’s development next season.

European football, likely to be in the Europa League, and opportunities in both domestic cup competitions would help Pickford settle into life in North London, before taking the reign as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper in a year’s time.

Arsenal could even opt to do things the other way round and utilise Cech’s experience in the cup competitions, whilst handing Pickford opportunities in the Premier League- a competition he’s well accustomed too following a successful breakthrough at Sunderland.

The Gunners will face huge competition in the race for Pickford’s signature this summer, with the likes of Everton and Manchester City reportedly eyeing a deal, but the right offer from Arsenal would be difficult to turn down.

Arsenal have already moved swiftly to land Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke and completing another swift move for Pickford would be another superb piece of business, giving Arsenal the rest of the summer to focus on big moves for attacking players.