Shape Up or Ship Out, Part 1: Goalkeepers
92 comments May 25th, 2011
Tempting as it is to simply brush this last season under the carpet, a more appropriate solution is a bit of spring cleaning.
In the past week we’ve had confirmation that both Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson want to leave the club. In both cases (particularly the latter) there’s a sense that they might be jumping before they’re pushed.
There is an acknowledgement from the fans that a bit of freshening up is required. Supporters are always clamouring for players to be brought in. It is rare that a club’s fans are go keen to see so many of the current squad let go.
Over the next few days I’ll be having a look at the current incumbents, and giving one of three verdicts:
As You Were: The player didn’t have a bad season, and just needs to continue progressing
Shape Up: More is expected if they’re to retain their place in the squad
Ship Out: Time’s up
First up, GOALKEEPERS.
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MANUEL ALMUNIA
Arsenal’s Number 1, but only as far as squad numbers are concerned. First he lost his place to Lukasz Fabianski, before suffering the indignity of falling behind both the rookie Wojciech Szczesny and veteran Jens Lehmann, plucked from retirement to the substitute’s bench.
Almunia has behaved in a dignified manner throughout his banishment from the first-team, and performed superbly when called upon as a substitute at the Nou Camp. Hopefully that performance will have stuck in the memory of a few La Liga clubs, and he’ll secure a move home. I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal waive a fee for a player who has been a loyal servant.
Verdict: Ship out
LUKASZ FABIANSKI
Even when he supplanted Manuel as Number 1, he always felt like a caretaker holding the position until someone better came along. As it happened, injury meant that the job went to an even younger Pole, Wojciech Szczesny. If Fabianski holds realistic hope of supplanting his countryman and reclaiming top spot, he’ll have to show his best form yet.
Verdict: Shape Up
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY
Arsenal didn’t lift any trophies this season, but they did finally find a goalkeeper. In a bleak year, the emergence of the young pair of Szczesny and Jack Wilshere has been an undoubted highlight.
I think our desperation to finally have a world class goalkeeper means we sometimes overhype Szczesny a little. That said, the potential is clearly there. What he needs now is games and experience. And to play behind a better team.
Verdict: As You Were
VITO MANNONE
The Italian spent much of the season on loan at Hull, where he impressed despite a succession of injury problems. Mannone is now 23, and in recent weeks he has hinted he may have to move on to secure first-team football. Arsene is not the sort of manager to stand in a young players way, so I think we may have seen the last of the Italian stopper.
Verdict: Ship Out
JENS LEHMANN
Having Jens Lehmann back has been fantastic. Much like Sol Campbell the season before, his presence around the club has merely served as a reminder of the extroardinary character of our teams of the past – and underlined just what is lacking in the current squad.
If there’s anyway of keeping him at the club, perhaps in a coaching capacity, then I’d suggest it will be beneficial – and not only for his fellow keepers. However, I can’t see Arsene handing a playing deal to a player who will be 42 in November.
Verdict: Ship Out
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There we go. I’m sure plenty of you will disagree, so feel free to debate it in the comments. We’ll work our way up the pitch, so the next installment will look at defenders. Till then.
