Arsenal’s mission of clearing out a majority of low-key players is well underway, as goalkeeper Vito Mannone signed a four year deal with Sunderland, after intense speculation linking the keeper to the club based in the north-east of England.

Arsene Wenger has been looking to sign an experienced keeper as the number one due to the inconsistency he has faced in the position over the past few years. The French boss has been heavily involved in transfer activities at the club, and wants to use every bit of the surplus transfer funds given to him in this window. One keeper who has been constantly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium is Queens Park Rangers stopper Julio Cesar, who has reiterated his desire to stay in London, and remain in the Barclays Premier League, after the R’s were victim to relegation after battling hard to stay up.

The current goalkeeping scenario at Arsenal involves Wojciech Szczesny, who currently holds the number one spot at the club, and Lukasz Fabianski has been competing against Vito Mannone for the spot on the first team bench. Even though Arsenal have struggled to narrow down to their permanent number one keeper, Poland international Szczesny has primarily held the jersey in the last few seasons. However, this past season has seen his spot under threat.

Mannone has been patient in his approach for games at Arsenal, but the academy graduate could not make a break through, which gave Szczesny the permanent role. This move clears the way for Arsenal to finalize a move for Cesar, who recently won the Confederations Cup with Brazil, and perhaps instate him as the number one at the club.