ARSENAL have been rocked just two games into the Premier League’s Project Restart.
And while back-to-back defeats are causing boss Mikel Arteta all sorts of problems, the injury to first-choice keeper Bernd Leno is a hammer blow.
Despite their defensive frailties Leno has impressed at times and is always a guaranteed starter.
But with worries he could be out for A YEAR with suspected knee ligament damage picked up in the Brighton defeat, Arsenal are on the lookout for a replacement.
Emiliano Martinez came off the bench to replace the German at the Amex, but with rookie Matt Macey as the next option, Arteta is bound to be assessing the market.
Here are five keepers who could fill the void left by Leno.
Joe Hart
The former England No1 is set to be released by Burnley when his contract expires on June 30.
Ever since being dumped by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Hart has failed to find another stable home.
At his best he was very good, but often blunders tended to cost his team points.
He could certainly be a stop-gap option for Arteta until the end of the season, and Hart will relish the chance to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Fraser Forster
Arsenal might have to move fast if they want to give Forster the chance, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested too.
Forster has looked rejuvenated since joining Celtic on loan after falling down the pecking order at Southampton.
Like Hart, Forster is also a former England international and at 32 should have plenty of years left in him between the sticks.
Celtic are believed to be keen to tie up a permanent deal – but with a year still on his deal at St Mary’s the Hexham-born custodian could be in demand this summer.
Claudio Bravo
The 37-year-old’s contract is up on June 30 at Manchester City, with the club confident he will stay until the extended season finishes.
But he won’t be picked for the rest of the season at the Etihad with Ederson unmovable between the sticks.
The Chilean might fancy the idea of actually getting some game-time this season – even if it is just for a month.
According to Spanish journalist Kike Marin, Bravo is seen an attractive option for Arsenal as he approaches the end of his contract at City.
Jack Butland
Butland’s career has gone stagnant at Stoke.
Once heralded as a future England No1, Butland is now trying to stop the Potters dropping into League One.
Arsenal were one of a whole host of clubs linked with Butland when he was earning rave reviews for Stoke during their Premier League days.
But the 27-year-old decided to stay loyal to the club – and it hasn’t worked out too well.
Like Hart, he would jump at the chance to prove he still has what it takes to play in the Premier League.
Loris Karius
Very much the wildcard option, but Karius’s days at Liverpool surely look numbered.
Despite saying he wants to return to challenge Alisson for the No1 spot, only Karius would believe he could oust him.
If the German feels he still has unfinished business in the Premier League, then he could be a cheap option for Arsenal.
The 27-year-old also claimed “half the Premier League wanted me” before signing for Manchester City as a teenager.
