Whilst last season was hardly a storming success for the Gunners (beyond Robin Van Persie’s antics) one positive was surely Wojciech Szczesny claiming the number one jersey as his own. Arsenal have struggled with this position since David Seaman left in 2003. Only Jens Lehmann has covered himself in any glory, whilst flops like Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski have often cost the Gunners big.
Wenger’s no fool – he knows just how important it is to have a high class keeper between the sticks, but he hasn’t had much luck in bringing in fresh young talent. Until, that is, the emergence of Szczesny. The young Pole really made a name for himself last season. He’s an excellent shot-stopper, a confident lad and a commanding presence.
I’ve seen numerous Arsenal fans describe the 22-yesr-old as their ‘number one’ for the next ten-fifteen years and the player himself has expressed a desire to stay at the club for the rest of his career.
But he hasn’t been completely error free. Mistakes against a few Premier League teams last season (including an egregious error against the old rivals Tottenham) have raised doubts over the potential of the youngster. And he hardly covered himself during the Euros, getting himself sent off and denting Poland’s chances.
He’s clearly the real deal, but is he ready to be Arsenal’s unchallenged number one? I’m not so sure.
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A little competition may be just what he needs to cut out the mistakes and re-establish himself as football’s premier young goalkeeping talent. Lukas Fabianski and Vito Mannone are unlucky to provide any real opposition.
This is probably the logic that has seen Arsenal linked to Lyon’s keeper Hugo Lloris (Source: The Daily Mail). It’s claimed that Wenger is willing to pay up to £12m for the 25-year-old who is believed to be anxious for a bigger challenge.
Whilst I rate Lloris highly, I’m not sure he’d be the right option for Arsenal. He’d probably start at the Emirates and thus rock Szczesny’s development. He’s way too good (and too expensive) to spend too long on the bench.
I’d much sooner see Birmingham’s Jack Butland making a move to the Emirates. He’s been linked to Arsenal before and is extremely highly-rated. Best of all he’s just 19-years-old and has been called up for Team GB. He’s definitely one for the future and would provide excellent competition for Szczesny at the Emirates.
Wenger’s not known for spending big on keepers. Butland wouldn’t cost the world but looks like a top young talent. For me, he’d be an excellent choice.
What’s your take? How do Arsenal solve their goalkeeping woes?
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Al Habsi will be an ideal option if he is available.
Lloris is a world class keeper so signing him we give us a lot of confidence in our 1st and 2nd choice keepers not just our 1st unlike last season
I think it would be a fantastic addition look at Szezcny the end of last season he admited he didnt train so I think Lloris will provide competition for starting spot making both of them play better
Szczesny comes rushing out of goal which is fine the majority of times, but on the bad times bad for us, and his sending off in the Euros was a typical example..
Fellow Gooners I don’t blame the lad one bit because he’s still young and must be taught,as it appears nobody’s been teaching him,notably his Goalkeeping coach and Wenger, if they both can’t see that fault of his,and haven’t tried to correct the boy which they should have done by now, then he’ll continue to do it, the result could well be us losing a final etc so c’mon you two, and put the lad right otherwiase it’ll cost us DEAR in more ways than one..
I’m not entirely convinced that Szczesny is going to be as good as loris. the main reason for his success
is the fact he has good control over his penalty area during corners and free kicks.(which we haven’t had since seaman) I simply dont think his reactions are good enough (sorry but you cant teach that). you can teach a goalie how to command his area and boss his defenders but you can not teach reactions, you either have it or you dont. If we could get loris in for that amount i would be more than happy(but it isn’t going to happen)
Also add moura,biligi & vertonghen
We need iloris to champion d goalpost 4 us nxt season.sw do concede useless goals dat shouldnt beat any goalkeeper,for instance,he is very poor going 4 freekicks,eg rooneys two freekicks,larson freekick.he does nt know how to command his defends in returning 4 cover during counter.iloris will command better-his age,experience.we need an attackin midfielder,demsey will surely fill d gap.just nt only passin bt scorin addition advantage 4 us.wenger should have a plan b,just in case jw and diaby are nt fit 4 d season,we need to buy someone like demsey dat is used to d epl and dat can score goals,giving us optional goalscorers.then a dmf and a central back,we are ready to compete strongly wit any team.rotation will be d best tactics 4 us nxt season.