Arsenal STILL in need of a top goalkeeper

Last summer I wrote an article about how badly Arsenal needed a new goalkeeper and this summer it feels a bit like Déjà Vu, as the Gunners still haven’t secured a new keeper.

Yesterday at Anfield keeper Manuel Almunia should have kept out David Ngog’s effort but was beaten at his near post.

Doubts

It seems that even Almunia thinks the club are set to sign a new keeper judging by some of his comments today. The Spaniard has said he would have to talk to boss Arsene Wenger about his future if the Frenchman signs a new keeper. It seems clear that the professor is looking to add to his keeping department.

Suspect

Most title winning sides have top class keepers and I’m sorry Arsenal fans Almunia is nowhere near top class. I believe Arsenal concede goals because their defence has no confidence in the man behind them.

Almunia doesn’t instil confidence in his backline. I don’t believe Arsenal will win the Premier League with the Spaniard in goal.

Speculation

Speculation has been mounting that Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer is the keeper that Wenger wants to sign to improve his goalkeeping options. The Australian international has made no secret of his desire to move to the Gunners but his Fulham boss Mark Hughes seems unwilling to let him leave.

The 37 year-old has been one of the most consistent keepers in the Premier League in the last few seasons and would add a calming influence on the shaky Gunners defence. The Aussie would prove a short term option but he could help youngsters like Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny develop into better keepers.

Rival

Another keeper who has been linked with the Gunners is Manchester City keeper Shay Given. The Irishman was overlooked in favour of England keeper Joe Hart for City’s opening Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday.

Given knows he faces stiff competition from 23 year-old Hart and has even claimed that he would be happy to go out on-loan for the season to play first team football. However at 34 years-old I doubt he will be going out on-loan and a permanent transfer could be on the cards.

City would like to keeper Given but he is unlikely to be happy sitting on the bench as Hart’s understudy. Arsenal faces a problem in the fact that City don’t want to strengthen their rivals. City won’t want an unhappy player in their squad.

I think Shay Given would be a superb signing for the Gunners. He may not be the tallest of keepers but is a keeper who can win you games and points. He is a keeper who commands respect from his defence and inspires confidence. If Arsenal sign Given I am sure they will get closer to Manchester United and Chelsea this season.

Surprised

Arsene Wenger is a shrewd operator in the transfer market and it’s really surprised me that he didn’t sign a keeper earlier this summer. Everybody knows that the goalkeeping department of the Gunners team needs strengthening, yet he has taken a long time to act.

Maybe he will finally secure that much needed keeper in the next few weeks. If not then Arsenal could be in for yet another season without silverware.