Arsenal FC: Why Signing a Goalkeeper Should Be a Priority for the Gunners

While Arsenal's public pursuit of Luis Suarez in the past few weeks has developed into a media disaster, many people seem to have forgotten that the Gunners' transfer needs go beyond just a striker.

A center-back is definitely needed, and the club could definitely do with an out-and-out defensive midfielder, but Arsene Wenger should also be looking to strengthen in the goalkeeping department.

Wojciech Szczesny had a season of ups and downs, having been dropped from the first team altogether after struggling for form before winning back his place and making some crucial saves in Arsenal's impressive final run of form.

Lukasz Fabianski did an admirable job stepping in for his compatriot, and it was only his luck that he picked up an injury just as he began to impose himself on the first team.

So, you may ask, how exactly do Arsenal currently have a goalkeeping problem? Wojciech Szczesny, at age 23, still has plenty of time to improve, while Lukasz Fabianski is a competent understudy—right?

Well, not exactly. Although Szczesny is still very young, and I believe he has the potential to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world one day, he's still some way off from the finished article. While his communication and presence in the box are both impressive, the area where the Polish international most needs work in is his focus.

Szczesny, while capable of outstanding saves, is also prone to careless, avoidable errors. These errors, which can be anything from getting caught at his near post to letting a soft shot in, usually come as a result of a lapse in concentration.

The best way for a goalkeeper to improve is by having competition for the No. 1 spot: David de Gea is a perfect example. Arriving at Manchester United following the retirement of Edwin van der Sar, David de Gea was nervy and error-prone during the early stages of his career at Old Trafford.

It remained that way for a while, to the point where de Gea even cost United points, and Sir Alex Ferguson eventually gave second-choice keeper Anders Lindegaard a run in the first team.

Clearly de Gea responded to the competition positively, with his form improving in the latter half of the 2011-12 campaign. The 22-year-old then went on to have an excellent 2012-13 campaign, earning a spot in the PFA Team of the Season.

Currently, Wojciech Szczesny's only competition is Lukasz Fabianski. Fabianski, while impressive during Szczesny's absence, happens to be extremely inconsistent.

While the 28-year-old is capable of producing match-winning saves, as he has done now and then in the past, there's no denying that he's a ticking time bomb. Fabianski is never too far from calamity—even when he puts in a good performance, one gets the feeling that he's just one "flap" away from losing all confidence and transforming into a Polish Almunia.

Luckily, there's a simple solution to Arsenal's slight goalkeeping dilemma: sign a goalkeeper. Now, it shouldn't just be any keeper. If Arsenal are in the market for a goalkeeper, they should be looking for someone who's not only talented but experienced.

Julio Cesar is a player who perfectly fits the mold of the type of keeper Arsenal need. He had an impressive season with Queens Park Rangers—despite their unfortunate fate—and has an incredible amount of experience, having won several titles as well as a Champions League with Inter Milan.

Cesar wouldn't just provide competition for Szczesny, but he could even serve as a mentor for him. The 33-year-old has 10 years on the young Pole and could certainly give Szczesny a few pointers on how to improve his game.

What's your take on Arsenal's goalkeeping situation? Is there even an issue at all, and if so, who should Arsene Wenger look to sign? Feel free to provide your opinion in the comments below.