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.
I SAID HE WAS MORE SOLID AND THAT I HOPE HE TAKES CONFIDENCE FROM THE PERFORMANCE!! WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?
IF I FELT ALMUNIA HAD A GREAT GAME I WOULD SAY SO. HOWEVER, UNLIKE OTHERS I'M NOT GOING TO GO OVER-BOARD JUST BECAUSE, LIKE I STATED ABOVE, HE MADE SAVES THAT ANY COMPETENT GOAL-KEEPER SHOULD MAKE.
MY WORRIES ABOUT HIM HAVE BEEN STATED MANY TIMES ON HERE BUT IN SUMMARY: HE HAS SLOW REACTIONS; HE DOESN'T DOMINATE HIS BOX AND RARELY COME FOR CROSSES; IF A BALL IS PLAYED OVER THE TOP OF OUR CENTRE-HALVES, HE EITHER RUNS OUT OF HIS BOX LIKE A HEAD-LESS CHICKEN OR FREEZES ON HIS 6 YARD LINE LIKE A TURKEY AT A BERNARD MATTHEWS FARM; HIS BALL DISTRIBUTION IS NOT GREAT AND HIS DECISION MAKING IS ADEQUATE, BUT NO MORE. OH, AND HIS HAIR-CUT IS DODGY!!
AT THE START OF THE SEASON I THOUGHT HE DESERVED HIS CHANCE AND I REALLY WANTED HIM TO PROVE HE COULD BE A GREAT KEEPER. ALAS, HE HASN'T DONE SO TO MY SATISFACTION AND I FEEL THAT A BETTER GOAL-KEEPER IS ESSENTIAL.
THE REASON WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT IS THAT IT COULD JUST MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHETHER WE END UP WINNING TROPHIES OR NOT THIS YEAR.
SPUDMASHER wrote:Fair point, but who would you go and buy now? Be realistic Cech isn't available. Who can we genuinely get that would improve the side?
SHAY GIVEN OR THE BOLTON KEEPER FROM THE PREMIERSHIP; THE AJAX GOALIE LOOKS GOOD TO ME, AND THE BLOKE THAT PLAYED AGAINST US FOR PSV (GOMEZ, I THINK) WOULD ALSO BE A VIABLE OPTION.
NOW THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND I'M SURE I COULD COME UP WITH MORE WITH BIT MORE THOUGHT OR IF I COULD BE BOTHERED.
PERSONALLY WOULDN'T TAKE GREEN OR CARSON (RICHARD WRIGHT RE-VISITED) AND FOSTER HAS ALREADY BEEN SNAPPED UP BY MAN UNITED.
Carson is prone to mistakes as we all saw
Green is no better
Given is unavailable. He is Newcastle through and through.
Jasskerleinen (might be spelt wrong) possibly available and I would concede is better than Almunia, but how old is he?
Don't know the Ajax fella so can't comment
and Gonzo from PSV...are you joking?
I think there is a genuine shortage of keepers out there. Almunia is doing an okay job. Not great, but okay! Fabianski looks good and could be the real deal in a year or two. In the meantime we need to persevere with the blonde one or bring back Jens. Knowing the boss he already has found some star playing in a european backwater and will go that route.
If I could pick anybody then it would be Cech followed by Buffon.
FROM WHAT I CAN REMEMBER READING A FEW WEEKS BACK, WHEN HE WAS OUT OF THE NEWCASTLE TEAM, GIVEN HAS ONLY GOT 6 MONTHS (OR IT MIGHT BE A YEAR MORE) LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT. THAT WOULD MAKE GETTING HIM - PROVIDED WENGER WANTED HIM - MORE THAN REALISTIC, AND AT A REASONABLE PRICE TO BOOT!!
