Jussi Jaaskelainen?

[Galasso]

The old chesnut that is the goalkeeping debate.

There can't be an Arsenal fan around who doesn't think about how good we could be with Petr Cech in goal. Unfortunately, there are not many of his quality around. So, I thought I would throw the name of Bolton's keeper out there.

I think that AW is as undecided as anyone on the question of who will be the number 1 for a) the rest of the season and b) the medium/long term. Perhaps it will be decided by how Almunia gets on in the first team, how Fabianski shows in the Carling Cup. How long will it take for Fabianski to be considered?

If it turns out that Jens if off at the end of the season (or sooner) and Almunia is not up to it after first team run, then Jaaskelainen is worth consideration. He is good quality, consistent and experienced in the premiership.

I know that we may give Almunia a go, and that is he aqequate, but I still get the shits when he is tested. Surely, what we want is reliability and consistency - to feel secure, and make the defence feel secure.

[REB]

we need a keeper and a really good one at that,, a keeper is worth an extra 12 points or more a season,,
jassskelainen is a fine keeper and up to last year i would hav loved him at thof2,, not 2 gone on him this year thou,,, how about shay given,, seems he,s having probs with big sam up in barcode land

[Wayno]

Carlos Cudicini? I know he is a chav but a great keeper and the lure of first team football would surely appeal to him.

[Wayno]

Green of West Ham, he always sems to play a blinder against us. It is surely only a matter of time before he takes his place in the England team, not that that is any longer a measure of quality

[Robsy]

Green - one game doesn't make him a good keeper. Saw him play for Norwich against us and he was useless, I was at the West Ham game and he played okay, but he's not the answer. His distribution wasn't great.

Given/Carlo C - both decent, both too old.

JJ - not bad

Manuel - He's been great for us this year...we haven't let in a goal in about 4/5 games! It feels like the defence trust him and he's not as hot headed as Jens. Personally I'd give him at least a season before worrying.

Scott Carson - Saw him home/away last season for Charlton, he was brilliant. Away, when we won 2-1 it would have been 5 or 6 if it wasn't for him.

[gunners-need-steel]

I would say, wait for end of season and give almunia and the new lad some time to be assessed ..

however, if wemust buy, it should be one of the best: cech, buffon, dida, real keeper (forgot his name) .. etc

if not one of the best, then why bother ...

[Wayno]

Given/Carlo C - both decent, both too old.

I have to disagree, Given is only 31, I would say that this is the prime age for a keeper. Okay Cudicini 34 I think so realistically only another good 3 years in him.

[Robsy]

I didn't realise Given was only 31. He might be an option, bet he'd be expensive.

I'm not sure Cudicini is as good as he once was and you have to question someone's motivation when they're happy to sit on the bench for three years after being the No.1!

Manuel will do us fine I reckon.

[26may1989]

Much as I like him, I don't think Almunia's good enough. Fabianski might be though. Although he should be shipped out at the end of the year, I think Lehmann has something to contribute this year - his reactions are still way better than Almunia's (think of the save he made against Sparta Prague).

But yes, we'll probably be in the market for a keeper (again) next summer.

Depending on how far Chavski's implosion goes, keep an eye on Cech: if it hadn't been for work permit regs, he would have signed for us years ago (everything was agreed), and he may well want to leave the Bridge if the farce there continues.

Of the others:

Given - Great shot-stopper but at 6'1" he's too short
Jaaskelainen - Not good enough
Cudicini - Hasn't played much for 2/3 years and probably too old
Casillas - Never going to leave Real but would be delighted to have him if he does (I recall he started taking English lessons last year, so you never know)
Green - Great shot-stopper but overall not good enough and poor on crosses. Yes, he plays well against us, but so did Richard Wright...
Carson - Liverpool wouldn't sell him to us
Dida - Not the most consistent but still very good. But would he leave Milan for us?
Buffon - Great but not going to leave Juve. The other keepers in the Italian squad (Curci of Roma and Amelia of Livorno) are meant to be good.

By the way, why didn't we sign van der Sar from Fulham? Still don't understand that one.

[Galasso]

I would say, wait for end of season and give almunia and the new lad some time to be assessed ..

however, if wemust buy, it should be one of the best: cech, buffon, dida, real keeper (forgot his name) .. etc

if not one of the best, then why bother ...

dida?? DIDA?? Are you serious? He's a buffoon...unlike Buffon!

And the argument that if we can't get the best we shouldn't bother doesn't make sense. We should improve the quality of the squad, even if who we get is not considered the very best. Cech and Casillas are I think, not going to be available, and Buffon - don't know if he would be available or not but high quality indeed.

Of the other suggestions - Given, yes - but Wenger must have taken notice of him during the 506 times he's had a game of the season against us so there must be something he's not sure about.

Green - See how he progresses - don't want another Richard Wright.

Cudicini - Didn't think of him. Would also question his motivation as has been mentioned.

Still can't get over Dida

[REB]

glad its just not me on DIDA,, must be one of the worse keepers in top flight football,,
still think givens a great keeper,, how many times has he kept us at bay

[stats]

Given for me but he's quite loyal to Newcastle so thats out the way, plus injuries gets in the way
With Jaaskelainen I think he's a good keeper but he was quite mean towards a ball boy last season which changed my mind on him
At the most i think 4 years will be left for his footballing life with Given just about 6 odd left, i also thought that Shay was alot older but it can be consider to get him as the new number 1

[On our way to Moscow]

Defentily need someone, if it wasnt for Lehmann we would have maximum points and a plus 13 goal difference.

Problem with all good players is they cost big money and Wenger aint the type to go and spend £20 million on a striker let alone a midfielder!!

Maybe fabianski is the man????

[RaM]

Given's a great keeper but I think Fabianski should be allowed a chance in the first team before we get too excited about wanting a new keeper, theres not too many class ones out there and none of them will be cheap.

Boruc from Celtic?

That would give us the Polish 1 and 2.

I doubt it though theres been rumours about him for a long time now.


Still, I'm really hoping Fabianski will be great.

[REB]

Given's a great keeper but I think Fabianski should be allowed a chance in the first team before we get too excited about wanting a new keeper, theres not too many class ones out there and none of them will be cheap.

Boruc from Celtic?

That would give us the Polish 1 and 2.

I doubt it though theres been rumours about him for a long time now.


Still, I'm really hoping Fabianski will be great.

YOU LIKE BORUC MR MORAN,, SEE A LOT OF HIM ON SETANTA AND NOT THAT IMPRESSED 2 BE HONEST,, PROB BE FABIANSKI NUM 1 NEXT SEASON