Arsenal has had goalkeeping issues since the beginning of this season.(No! Last season). Truth is Arsenal has struggled in the Goalkeeping position since the controversial Jens Lehman left the club a few years back. Almunia stepped up and became Arsenal’s NO.1 goalkepper and has been in goal since.
Almunia for me is one of the most inconsistent goalkeepers in the EPL. He blows hot and cold and cant seem to maintain a standard. He is not fit to guard the goal of a top European side like Arsenal, he is good enough for West Brom,Wigan,West Ham (you know what I mean). If you put Almunia side by side with the likes of Cech, Van der sa, Riena and even “little” Joe Hart, you would understand what I mean exactly.
At the beginning of the season, it was reported that Arsene Wenger was searching for a new goal Keeper and several names came up like Hugo Lloris, Shay Given and very strongly Mark Schwarzer. Wenger in his usual manner didn’t come out to openly admitting the Keeper chase and in the end (as usual again) came up with nothing until the transfer window closed. Mark Schwarzer even stupidly (in my opinion) handed in a transfer request at Fullham (I would explain). Fullham and Arsenal were negotiating for a long time and Arsene been who he is was offering a sum Fullham thought was paltry for their No.1 and one of the most experienced Handlers in the EPL. Mark should have known Fullham wouldn’t release him cheap and been in England for while, he should also know that Arsene hardly ever increases his initial bid. So handing in a transfer request was a dumb move. He should have just sat back and watched how things unfolded. I also don’t blame him, when a club like Arsenal comes calling it’s hard to say no. (I have digressed I know).
So back to the main issue. Almunia started the season as No.1 to the disappointment of Arsenal fans worldwide and continued in his characteristic inconsistent manner. Fans cried and cried and **tada** injury struck. He was forced to the sidelines thanks to that injury and Fabianski took over. Fabianski grew better match after match and just when we thought he was going to be there for a while injury struck . Szezesny took over and in a long time Arsenal fans had confidence in the goalkeeping department. He showed great potential and he even made the No.1 spot his after the return of Almunia but AGAIN Injury struck!
With Fabianski out for the rest of the season, Szezesny out for a minimum of six weeks, Vito Mannone out on loan at Hull city(also injured), Arsenal was left with Almunia as the only senior Keeper the other the 18yrs old James Shea. Because of this Goalkeeping crisis Arsene had to apply to the FA for an emergency loan. Just when everyone was wondering where Wenger would get his man, news filtered that Arsenal was in talks with former Gunner Jens Lehman. Lehman? WTF? Yes that was my response. The 41yr old German had hung up boots already and one would wonder if Arsene or his goalkeeping coaches didn’t know any active Keeper they could have gone in for.
Critically looking at it again, Lehman has the mentality,drive and experience Arsenal needs at this stage of the season and if the performances of Van der sa are anything to go by then age is definitely not a barrier. For back up, Lehman doesn’t look like a bad move but we have to wait and see. Like Arsenal Fans like to say “In Arsene we trust” but from me its “In God I trust”.
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