26 Damián Emiliano Martinez 3rd Choice Keeper

[paulinohio]

Good enough cover ?

[Perryashburtongroves]

I'd imagine so but even if not, you need to go through a terrible run of injuries or misfortune- both of which, we are more than capable of doing- for your third choice keeper to be needed for more than a handful of games. I wonder how the third choice feels at a club like Arsenal. You know you won't get much playing time but you get good facilities, get looked after and play with decent players. I suppose it depends on personality or ambition. I did once read a piece which said that a rule should be brought in which states that the third choice keeper has to be under a certain age, perhaps 21, so older players aren't blocking their chances.

[1989]

In his only competitive outing for us vs Reading in the Beer Cup he was a complete shambles and culpable for about half the goals we let in. That said he looked quite solid vs Benfica in the Emirates Cup so perhaps he may have improved? Will hardly get any playing time anyway unless Ospina is a massive crock.

[topgoon]

In his only competitive outing for us vs Reading in the Beer Cup he was a complete shambles and culpable for about half the goals we let in. That said he looked quite solid vs Benfica in the Emirates Cup so perhaps he may have improved? Will hardly get any playing time anyway unless Ospina is a massive crock.

I was at that game. The defending collectively was terrible. You cant blame a then 20yr old for that.

[northbank123]

Agree with 1989 - that Reading game he looked like the latest graduate from our Goalkeepers Clown School but he is young and tbh barring an absolute disaster won't be required.

[paulinohio]

I think he's looked confident this pre season, and right now he is 2nd choice as "Ospina is two or three weeks away. "

2001–02 Richard Wright had 22 games and Stu Taylor played 15 and with still did the double

[arseofacrow]

What next? Assessing the 3rd choice left back for the youth team?

Some of you guys need to get out more and do other things.

[Simon]

Only seen him play a couple of times in U21 games and a pre-season friendly at Borehamwood, so difficult to make an assessment...but things can change quickly with goalkeepers. Remember how Mannone came to the fore when both Almunia and Fabianski were injured?

Also it was not so long ago that Szczęsny was fourth choice!

[northbank123]

True, we have probably relied on 3rd-choice keepers more than most. Mannone getting those run of games back in 2009/10, Stuart Taylor famously earning a PL medal. I can remember Hilario the Clown playing a few times for Chavs (an Arsenal keeper in all but name), can't think of that many other situations where a (big) club has had to give a 3rd choice keeper a run.

[Rosie_titters]

What next? Assessing the 3rd choice left back for the youth team?

Some of you guys need to get out more and do other things.

I agree mate, i think some fans expect Reina, Casilles or Valdes to be our 3rd choice keeper on £150k a week,

it would really be down to bad luck if Chezza and Ospina both got injured

[clockender1]

it would really be down to bad luck if Chezza and Ospina both got injured

or poor fitness training and recovery programmes.

its lucky we've never had an issue on either account isn't it ? i mean, its not like we maintain three times the number of injured players as City or Chelsea, nor a hamstring that takes a month at other clubs is three plus at ours, or four months for a shoulder or ankle knock......

[Rosie_titters]

we've got a top German fitness coach in now. So no more long term injuries

[northbank123]

How much fitness do goalkeepers need? Barely any sprinting involved (unless you are Hugo Lloris or Flappy in which case you can expect to come flying out of your area twice a game to get rounded), far less physical contact and little to no danger of fatigue injuries due to lack of distance covered. Injuries to keepers are pot luck really.

[1989]

we've got a top German fitness coach in now. So no more long term injuries

This. Look how quickly Kos got fit again. The Shad factor.

[mcdowell42]

What if shad gets injured.