Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Gunners Shouldn't Put Up Fight for Simon Mignolet

Don't despair Arsenal fans. Missing out on Simon Mignolet is a blessing in disguise.

In an interview with the Shields Gazette (via Sky Sports), the Sunderland goalkeeper said he is content to stay at the Stadium of Light:

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"As a footballer, you want to do well and want to win games and finish higher in the table than 17th," the 24-year-old told the Shields Gazette. "On that point, it was a disappointing season.

"But then again, there's a reason for that and hopefully next year we can do a lot better.

"Of course, when a new manager comes in, there's new things around and since he's come in, all the games we've played - apart from the Aston Villa game - there were positives. So that's good for the future.

"During the season, you don't really think about how things are going because you still have a lot to fight for, even if that's avoiding relegation.

"But now the season is over, you can make a judgement on how well we've played and how bad we've played.

"Now is a time to look back over the season and for everyone to look in the mirror to see what they can do better for next season."

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Arsenal have been linked with Mignolet for at least a few months now. It's easy to see why the Gunners want to add another goalkeeper for next season. Wojciech Szczesny is talented, but he looks to have stagnated a bit in his development by not having any competition in the team.

Without someone pushing him for his place, Szczesny has fallen into a cycle that sees him putting in good performances but not following through on his potential.

The question is—or maybe was, considering Mignolet's statement—whether or not the Sunderland player was the best fit.

Mignolet has been very good since moving the Premier League side from VV St. Truiden. He's had 29 clean sheets in 89 league matches for Sunderland. There's no doubting Mignolet has earned himself a move elsewhere should he choose that option.

At 24 years old, Mignolet will want first-team football. His form at Sunderland has warranted that.

Unfortunately for him, it's something that would't be guaranteed at Arsenal. Szczesny is only 23 years old himself, and it's not as if Arsene Wenger should completely give up on him.

Szczesny has fallen off track a bit. He's made a few more mistakes than you would like to see as a supporter, but he's still got plenty of years to fulfill his potential. There's still enough time for Szczesny to become one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

He's nowhere near as bad as some of the goalkeepers who have recently donned the No. 1 shirt at Arsenal. Signing a young first-choice keeper this summer solves a problem that really isn't there to begin with.

By moving for Mignolet, Wenger would have two young goalkeepers who will want to be playing each and every week. Even with Champions League football, he wouldn't be able to placate both players.

Julio Cesar would be a much better option. It's apparently a rumour with some legs as well, according to the Daily Mirror. Cesar was very good with Queens Park Rangers this season, and there's no way he stays around in the Championship next year.

At 33 years old, he doesn't have a lot of years left. Cesar might also be much more apt to move to Arsenal despite Szczesny's presence because the Brazilian could still play in the Champions League.

Szczesny would also be learning from an experienced player who's done just about everything a goalkeeper can. It's something he hasn't really had much of during his time at the Emirates. Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski aren't exactly the best teachers.

Considering QPR's situation, the club will be looking to get his wages off the books. It won't be looking for a massive transfer fee, and certainly something less than Arsenal would have to fork out for Mignolet.

That leaves more money for the Gunners to use on positions that are more pressing, such as right-back and striker.

Signing Mignolet wouldn't be a terrible move, but it would cause more trouble than Arsenal need right now.