Jul 26, 2012 01:09 AM EDT
Arsenal Transfer News: Julio Cesar Linked with Gunners; Arsenal Announce Shirt Numbers, But Hold Podolski's No Back

Arsenal are rivalling Tottenham Hotspur for the signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

A report by Sky Italia, suggests the Gunners are leading the chase for the 32-year-old, who has fallen down the pecking order at Inter, following the signing of highly-rated keeper Samir Handanovic from Udinese.

Arsenal just announced the new squad numbers for next season, with Wojciech Szczesny being handed the No 1 shirt, as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper.

Cesar has reiterated his desire to remain at Inter and fight for his place; however, it is understood the Milan club are keen to sell the Brazilian.

With the futures of Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone still unclear, Wenger is still looking at the possibility of bringing in an experienced shot-stopper capable of providing Szczesny some much-needed competition. However, how comfortable Cesar will be to fight for his place at Arsenal remains to be seen, since it would conceivably be the same situation that he faces at Inter.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Hugo Lloris in the past, but have been put off by the French club Lyon's asking price.

Spurs are also on the lookout for a new keeper and have been linked with both Lloris and Cesar.

Meanwhile, Arsenal released their list of shirt numbers for next season, with the likelihood of Robin Van Persie's departure increasing, as the Gunners announced they had held back the shirt number for Lukas Podolski.

Podolski wears the No 10 for both club and country and with Van Persie, who has worn the No 10 since William Gallas' departure, expected to leave the club, Arsenal announced they would confirm the German international's number at a later date, fuelling speculation about Van Persie's imminent departure.

"The shirt number of Lukas Podolski, who joined the Club from Cologne, has yet to be confirmed, but Francis Coquelin has taken No 22 while Kyle Bartley will wear No 35," the club said in a statement on their official website.

"New signing Olivier Giroud has been allocated the No 12 shirt while Wojciech Szczesny will wear the No 1 shirt in the wake of Manuel Almunia's departure."

Van Persie is being chased by Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, with the Red Devils reportedly leading the chase for the Dutch striker.

Complete squad number list: 1 Wojciech Szczesny; 2 Abou Diaby; 3 Bacary Sagna; 4 Per Mertesacker; 5 Thomas Vermaelen; 6 Laurent Koscielny; 7 Tomas Rosicky; 8 Mikel Arteta; 9 Ju Young Park; 10 Robin Van Persie; 11 Andre Santos; 12 Olivier Giroud; 14 Theo Walcott; 15 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; 16 Aaron Ramsey; 17 Alex Song; 18 Sebastien Squillaci; 19 Jack Wilshere; 20 Johan Djourou; 21 Lukasz Fabianski; 22 Francis Coquelin; 23 Andrey Arshavin; 24 Vito Mannone; 25 Carl Jenkinson; 26 Emmanuel Frimpong; 27 Gervinho; 28 Kieran Gibbs; 29 Marouane Chamakh; 31 Ryo Miyaichi; 35 Kyle Bartley;  52 Nicklas Bendtner; TBC Lukas Podolski.

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