ARSENAL are tracking Scott Carson as they contemplate a surprise end-of-season move for the Liverpool goalkeeper.
England under-21 international Carson has been earning rave reviews while on a season-long loan at Premiership strugglers Charlton Athletic.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez allowed the 21-year-old to spend the campaign at The Valley to increase his first-team experience with both Pepe Reina and Jerzy Dudek ahead of him in the Anfield pecking order.
And his performances have alerted Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is seeking a long-term successor to current Gunners keeper Jens Lehmann.
Wenger is also keen on Hearts keeper Craig Gordon as he looks to overhaul his goalkeeping department with Lehmann coming to the end of his career at the Emirates and Manuel Almunia considered only a back-up.
Arsenal would offer Carson the lure of more regular first-team football at a top-four club and leave Benitez facing a decision whether to cash in on a player who has appeared only sporadically at Liverpool.
Carson was the first Englishman signed by Benitez when captured for £750,000 from Leeds United in January 2005 after snubbing a move to Chelsea.
He was handed his debut in a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United two months later and, although also keeping goal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final win over Juventus that campaign, has made only nine appearances since arriving at Anfield.
Carson, who spent a spell on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last year, has seen Chris Kirkland depart Liverpool this season with Dudek is poised to follow in the summer. But should Reina reaffirm his commitment by signing a new contract, Carson may decide a move away from Anfield would be the best way to further his career.
