A Fix for Arsenal’s Goalkeeping Problem
Arsene Wenger has never been a proponent of stop-gap solutions. But two years of watching Manuel Alumnia flapping his arms in the Arsenal goalmouth is apparently enough to cause anyone to change religion. Word on the street is that the Arsenal manager is now seeking a cure for his ongoing goalkeeping woes in the form of a 37-year-old keeper with a dodgy knee.
For the past week, Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer has been the subject of intense speculation that he’s on his way to the Emirates this summer. Australia’s Number One, who had a reasonable World Cup, has more than a decade of experience in the Premier League, mostly with Middlesborough. He’s no Buffon or Casillas, but he has a dependable set of hands and would bring some much-needed confidence to Arsenal’s back line.
Wenger has clearly been inspired by Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson getting the most out of Edwin van der Sar during the twilight of his career. But it surely says something about the current standard of goalkeeping in Europe that United, and now maybe Arsenal, have resorted to two veteran goalkeepers who are well past their prime.
What about some of the keepers who made a name for themselves in South Africa – such as Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama or Holland’s Maarten Stekelenburg. What about England’s Joe Hart? They all can be had for a price – and certainly it’s an investment worth making. Goalkeeper is one of the most critical positions on the pitch.nAnd it’s not too far-fetched a statement that if the club had a better keeper who inspired more confidence in his teammates, Arsenal might have won the title last season.
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