As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
SPUDMASHER wrote:Totally agree mate. I do think though that a decent back line would have a bigger impact than an improvement between the sticks. It's about being fit for purpose. If you have a quality back four then you can get away with an average keeper more easily. It doesn't really work the other way round though.
When things go bad as they are at the moment people will always look for an easy target. When you concede goals who is the easiest target? Not rocket science is it?
Of course, if that uselss Togotosser up front could score 10% of the chances he gets it wouldn't matter what was happening at the back.
Probably whilst you were writing your response, I amended my post slighty, so it read...
For what its worth, I'm with you on this.. defence is more at fault than the keeper, however, it's an argument you can't win, Spuddy.
So, yes.. I think our defence has been responsible for many, many errors that have cost goals that even Seaman wouldn't have prevented, whilst Almunia (until the last 2 games) has been mainly guilty of being average, rather than any glaring mistakes.
So, in that respect, I agree with you.. Almunia, playing behind Adams and Keown, would be much more solid than Seaman playing behind Gallas/Toure. Definately!
xDAVEYx wrote:
give the guy a break, the squad has more pressing issues such as the fagility of the centre pair and that gapinig hole in the middle of the pitch
That is it.
Almunia is in a two game confidence dip.
Ideal world he is not a top four keeper but central defence and central defensive midfield are the crisis areas.
IF Almunia does not recover his confidence though, then it does become a crisis in goal too.
We all agree the centre of our defence is the major problem, we all had grave concerns about Gallas when he was made captain ahead of Gilberto, those concerns manifested themselves at Birmingham. My concerns about our goalkeeper were finally brought out into the open at Stoke when he avoided challenging for the ball in the 6 yard box for me it was a defining moment. However I don't care which way we do it but I just want one of our serious defensive problems solved and if it means a centre back first so be it.
As a former semi pro keeper (more semi than pro I can assure you, I was pretty shite at the best of times!!) Manuel isn't the best but he certainly isn't the worst.
And he definitely isn't the main problem in our team. Yes he's had a couple of poor games but so would Petr Cech playing behind that lot.
The problem running through our team at the moment isn't the keeper nor is it just the style of play - it's the attitude of several players. Too many of them seem to believe that they have already made it in the big time and other teams are relishing the chance to knock us down.
There is obviously tension behind the scenes between certain players and too many of them won't compete when the opposition want a battle.
It's the manager's job to sort this out but if Arsene treats them in private like he protects them in public, we're going to see a few more "Stoke" performances before any new faces (hopefully) arrive.
people go on about our lack of leadership
as long as i've been watching football, good goalkeepers have had personality and presence
many were natural leaders who directed defences when required
Almunia is another animal
rarely have i seen him even talking to his defenders in what looks like instructional or directional mode
much less has he made himself a dominant, influential figure
he stops shots brilliantly - fine reflexes - and has improved in general
but that's really where it stops
Too bloody right they are - he was abject in the Carling Cup last season. If you hate Almunia for not commanding his area and punching instead of catching, then watch a re-run of our 5-1 hammering at the Lane. Fabianski is even more vulnerable than Almunia in both regards.
If we are serious about getting Almunia out of the team then it has to be for a genuine top class GK. Not a Polish flapper out of the Manninger class
