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Jonas Eidevall has highlighted Arsenal’s short-term need for a goalkeeper as their next priority in the January transfer window — and said Sarah Bouhaddi could be an “ideal candidate”.
Right-back Emily Fox became the club’s first signing of the new year this week, but Eidevall wants cover for Canada international Sabrina D’Angelo (pictured), who is expected to take part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in the United States.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Watford, Eidevall said: “We need cover for one situation, and that is the Gold Cup in February and March.
“We have a high likelihood of one of our goalkeepers being selected and we can’t really predict what the availability will be like for the rest of our goalkeepers will be for that period, or how long that period is going to be.
“Ideally we bring someone in to help us through that period to manage that risk in a good way. That’s one thing we need to do.”
Arsenal have been linked with Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps — who is also on Paris Saint-Germain’s radar — since the summer, but the Swede was not drawn into discussing any potential interest in the 30-year-old.
“I’m not going to comment on any individual goalkeepers in this regard,” he added. “Ideally for us, we will be looking for a shorter term solution that will span over the international period when the Gold Cup is being played.”
Asked whether 37-year-old free agent Bouhaddi could be an option, the Arsenal manager said: “She would be a player that we would prefer getting in but we have to wait until things are finalised. She can be an ideal candidate coming in short-term with her experience, leadership and qualities as a goalkeeper.
“Apart from bringing in another goalkeeper I don’t think, unless anything outside the box presents itself, we will be doing anymore incoming business.”
Eidevall, meanwhile, has said that midfielder Leah Williamson is “not too far off” a return following her ACL lay-off.
The England captain is stepping up her recovery from a long-term injury sustained in April, but Eidevall delivered a positive update.
“Leah is going very well,” he said. “She shouldn’t be too far off from returning to play.
“She has basically returned to full training now, so that’s very pleasing. She needs a little bit more of that. After that I think we can introduce her to game minutes as well.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
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