Arsenal suffer goalkeeper setback

Reports suggest that Fulham boss Mark Hughes is close to sorting out the future of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Rumours surrounding the 37-year-old keeper's future at Craven Cottage started to circulate in the summer, as Arsenal were rumoured to be interested in the Austalian.

Now it is believed that the Gunners are preparing themselves for another attempt to sign the Fulham keeper.

Schwarzer has had an exceptional season for Fulham so far, and on the weekend put in a brave performance to ensure Newcastle did not score in a 0-0 draw.

After the game Fulham manager Mark Hughes spoke about his desire to keep Schwarzer, stating: 'The saves he made (at St James' Park) - that's the quality of the keeper we've got and that's why we're working so hard to keep him here.

'If we're going to be successful, we need a quality keeper and that's certainly what Mark is."

In the Summer transfer window Arsenal were linked with Schwarzer and various other keepers to help solve their long running keeper problems, which continue to feature through this season.

However, in recent weeks Lukasz Fabianski has risen to the challenge, being instrumental for Arsenal's recent away success and potentially reducing the Gunners' desire to sign a new stopper.

Further more, Wojciech Szczesny, Arsenal's young Polish keeper, has recently signed a five year contract at the Emirates.

While Arsene Wenger has ensured out of favour keeper Manuel Almunia that he still has a future at the Emirates.

"Of course Almunia has a future at the club," he said. "He has been out for a long time, but he must come back and show the performances in training and his quality.”

This potentially suggests that Arsene Wenger will not be looking for a new keeper at the Emirates in January, and may look to strengthen the Arsenal squad in other positions.