Markus Schubert has spurned the chance to sign for Arsenal - but a former Gunners legend believes the rejection could pave the way for a far bigger name to become Bernd Leno's understudy at the club.
While the news that promising young German keeper Schubert has spurned the chance to join Arsenal to sign for Schalke this week will be a blow for boss Unai Emery in his search for a back-up for Bernd Leno - David Seaman insists it could be good news.
Schubert had been on Arsenal's radar this summer as the club eyed a replacement for the experienced Petr Cech who retired after the end of the season.
Last season, the German played in 31 Bundesliga 2 games - the second tier of German football - keeping nine clean sheets in the process and had been monitored by Arsenal.
However, the 21-year-old with a growing reputation as another excellent German shot-stopper - albeit with plenty still to improve on including his distribution - will not become an Arsenal player under Emery, leaving others to fight for the position.
While Cech bowed out as Emery's cup keeper and number two choice after the Europa League final defeat by Chelsea, Leno has firmly established himself as the club's number one goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Cech's retirement has created a vacancy behind Leno - and the popular Seaman is not too concerned about the loss of former Dynamo Dresden keeper Schubert to Schalke.
Speaking to football.london Seaman gave the names of other, more experienced shot-stoppers, who could fit the bill - big names that could surprise a few Gunners fans.
"I think they should be trying to get a more experienced keeper in as [Bernd] Leno's number two," he said.
"I know they've got some really talented young keepers in Emi Martinez, Deyan Iliev, Matt Macey and Arthur Okonkwo, but I just think they could do with an older number two. Those lads are real talents but they've not got an awful lot of experience at the top, top level.
"It would be a big step for them to come in and be Leno's number two in the Premier League after being on loan or playing for the U23s.
"I don't think they need someone like Schubert as Leno's number two either - why not look at Joe Hart or Jack Butland as a number two?
"They have loads of experience. That's the sort of quality they should be looking at as the club's number two at the moment."
Hart joined Burnley from Manchester City for a fee of £9m in 2018 but has failed to show the form that earned him 75 England caps.
Yet at the age of 32, which is still young in goalkeeping terms, Hart could relaunch his career with the north Londoners should Emery opt on the former Shrewsbury man to act as his back up between the sticks.
Butland is far younger at 26 but has a wealth of experience including five England caps. He currently plays in the Championship at Stoke.
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