Arsenal Could Snap Up 'Viera' In The Next Few Hours
7/14/2005 6:35:00 PM
Arsenal are likely to sign Uruguayan national team goalkeeper Sebastian Viera from Nacional.
The transfer should be finalised in the next few hours as it is said that Arsenal and Nacional have come to an agreement for the signing of one of the most promising goalkeepers in South America.
Viera (22) has represented Uruguay ten times and has become the countries undisputed number one goalkeeper after shining in last years Copa America.
After playing less than one year in the Uruguayan first division Viera was given the opportunity to play for the national team and since then has kept his place in the team ahead of more experienced goalkeepers like Fabian Carini, Gustavo Munua and Luis Barbat.
Only in the last week Viera helped Nacional clinch the Uruguayan championship after saving a crucial penalty in the 88th minute during the match against Rocha FC.
Arsene Wenger has been keeping a close eye on the goalkeeper, although he has suggested that Viera may be too short:
“He is a great goal-stopper but I would prefer if he was 6 to 8 centimetres taller”.
Viera stands at 1.85 metres tall and weighs 83 kg, and although he is not very tall compared to many other goalkeepers he insists that some of his other qualities make up for this:
“I feel that I am very agile, I’ve got good reflexes and that gives me the confidence I need when defending the goal, no matter what opposition I face”.
Other European clubs that have recently shown an interest in Viera include AS Roma, Inter Milan, Sevilla and Real Betis, but Arsenal seem to be the club that are leading the race to sign the goalkeeper.
At the moment Arsenal count with two goalkeepers, these being German international Jens Lehmann and Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
Both goalkeepers have recently become out of favour with Wenger and the Arsenal supporters after some dismal performances last season.
www.goal.com
Wenger want to do his experiment.
new vieira with gloves to partner gilberto silva
