Just when Arsenal fans thought it was safe to start believing in their goalkeeper again, Wojciech Szczesny went a threw a curve ball (right into his own net). Since David Seaman left back in 2003, the Gunners have gone through a chain of lacklustre goalies, with only Jens Lehmann truly distinguishing himself. Fans have had to put up with the likes of Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone (and Almunia again) all of whom don’t seem capable of holding their own between the sticks.
So fans were no doubt overjoyed to oversee Szczesny’s rise to prominence over the last couple of seasons. The lanky Pole looked calm, assured and assertive. He’s proven himself to be a fine shot-stopper and is confident enough to cajole and organise the Gunner’s defence. When he’s on form he looks like the real deal. Good job then that he’s expressed his desire to continue his career as Arsenal’s first choice goalkeeper for 15 years. The trouble is, he’s still young – only 22-years-old, that’s about 18-years-old in goalkeeping years – and he’s prone to odd mistake.
Errors against the likes of Tottenham and Norwich City (last weekend) have cost Arsenal big. There are also occasions where he seems to completely lose his cool and forget the basics. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Arsene Wenger was trying to establish some form of contingency plan. Could the Gunners be about to bring in a more experienced keeper to help ease the burden that has been placed on Szczesny’s shoulders?
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are lining up a ‘swoop’ for Swansea City’s goalkeeping revelation Michel Vorm. It’s claimed that senior scours have been sent to watch the Dutchman work his magic and have sent back positive reports. Emirates 24/7 took the same story and called it a ‘crazy buy’ for Arsene Wenger.
I don’t see what’s so crazy about it. Almunia’s contract is up at the end of the season and he’s likely to move on (potentially to West Brom) whilst Fabianksi and Mannone may also seek a move away. This is an area that Arsenal will almost certainly be looking at over the summer. As such, it makes sense to look at Vorm, who has proven himself to be a class act this season. He’s been absolutely essential to Swansea’s success this season, pulling off incredible stops and saving penalties.
There’s the question of whether he’d be first choice at Arsenal or whether he’d play understudy to Szczesny (and indeed whether Vorm would be willing to play this role). That’s something that can be debated at another time. What’s clear is that the Dutchman has the quality to play for a top side and it’s not so ‘crazy’ to suggest that the Gunners may be interested in him.
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The only reason it is crazy is because he will never leave a club where he is playing week in week out to sitting on the bench.
Craig Gordon from Sunderland on a free transfer would be a much better signing
I understand how you feel about Szczesny, but every keeper makes errors, regardless of age.
Cech, Reina etc. are all guilty of errors this season, perhaps even more than our no.1.
Decent cover is something we need, but assuming a more experienced player wont make errors is not accurate in my opinion.
Our No. 1 is a ‘quality keeper’ he is responding to improvement days in and days out he is gathering the experience. Dont let us judge him thru his little mistake but always think of many occasions he has say the team. Vorm is very good keeper provided he wish to play for Arsenal. But after Seaman and Lenman, Szczesny is also a better choice.
Michel Vorm to replace Szczesny? Give us a break! Szczesny is CLASS, PURE CLASS! Making an odd mistake here and there doesn’t take away anything. Even at his age, he’s in fact one of the very best. Do you remember Van Der Saar’s mistake at Fulham from which Reyes scored! If you had judged him basing on that game, you not think he turn out to be so brilliant for United.
As for Vorm, he’s been brilliant for Swansea, but Swansea isn’t Arsenal. They’re under less pressure,unlike at Arsenal where is on from day one, and I don’t think he can cut it.
For me, we are stocked with goalies. Mannone shone in the little time he was in goal, including a game-winning performance against Fulham! Why wouldn’t he No.2! There’s also Damian Martinez, who at his age was once called up by the Argentines to train with their senior team. Why can’t he be No.3? I see no point in signing Vorm. If we are looking for experience, Gordon is available on a free!
There ???r?????? S?????????? many G????????????????d???? keepers on a free ????i§ season.rene adler,tim wiese,craig gordon..theses ???r?????? very G????????????????d???? keepers and we can move in for one of them
Szczesny was very, very good this season, one or two mistakes is normal for any top class keeper. You have to be realistic. Arsenal are looking for a safe 2nd choice keeper because Fabianski wants to play and probably will go. Not because Szczesny has failed in any way. Vorm has already said he would not go to Arsenal to sit on the bench, so this transfer rumor was over before this author even started to write this article.