Never Mind Mark Schwazer.....
....judging by Joe Hart's performance this afternoon for Man City, it would appear as if the youngster has nailed down the no. 1 shirt as far as Mancini is concerned. So why not jump in with a concerted effort to sign for Shay Given. I might be just a tad biased but I'd much prefer Shay over Mark Schwarzer.
As Ireland's no. 1, Given's not going to want to spend the season warming the bench at Eastlands, unable to obtain game time and maintain his sharpness. Wasn't Given close to signing for the Gunners in the past? I seem to recall that we were given the sense that it was a done deal, until Arsène changed his mind, as if there was some element amongst the raft of statistical results from the bank of tests that didn't meet le Gaffer's strict criteria.
But whether Shay's muscle elasticity, his lung capacity, or any other statistical minutae fails to meet Arsène's ideals on paper, on the pitch he's proven experienced quality, with just the sort of composure needed to establish that all-important aura of reassurance, amongst the unknown quantity of our new centre-back partnership.
While Koscielny hasn't made a fool of himself to date (apart from one instance of obvious naivety, where he dived in, when he might've prevented a goal if he'd stayed on his feet), it's a massive ask, perhaps a make or break moment, throwing the French Pollack to the lary Scouse lions as an opening gambit. Here's hoping Laurent proves himself to be worthy of the faith Wenger obviously has in the lad.
Meanwhile watching both Spurs and Man City drop two points this afternoon (lending credence to Arsène's argument that no amount of money spent is any guarantee of goals), although it would prove highly amusing, should the Lilywhites make an embarrassing premature exit from the Champions League against Berne's Young Boys (especially when one assumes their entire new stadium project is dependent on their qualification into the cash cow of the competition proper), on the other hand, as others have pointed out, Spurs lack of experience of the pressure of playing regular Champions League football might have a significant impact on their ability to obtain points after schlepping across the Continent and it might test the depth of their squad, to the point where it could impact on their aspirations in the Premiership.
Nevertheless, this certainly won't stop me from being up for the Young Boys come Tuesday night
16 comments:
Shay Given would be ideal. He's 4 years younger than Schwarzer and would be perfect.
However, there is little chance that Man City would want to trade with Arsenal. They would rather leave him on the reserves than give such a valuable weapon to their rivals.
shay given would be FANTASTIC. BUT i dont think city would sell to us and so we may ahve to make do Mark Schwarzer, but at the moment any good goalkeeper would do. Come on Arsene, sign one of them up, like u have signed ur contract.
city won't sell to Arsenal. End of story.
bernard, i also would prefer given, and we should have signed him when newcastle united agreed to transfer him. problem now is that city are trying to dislodge us (or spuds/united/chelsea) from the top four. they know that gk is a problem area for us and getting given will make us stronger. a ridiculous offer probably will not mean that much to them, as they may be the only prem side besides us (and maybe chelsea) that can refuse a big offer. mancini says he wants to keep given, that he will need both hart and he over the course of the season - if given forces the issue, he can probably get a transfer, but i do not see a situation where city would sell him to us. that move along could possibly keep them in fifth place.
Why would anyone want Given? Yes, very good shot stopper, but thats it. I mean, that is literally it. He can't collect crosses, doesn't command hos area and hardly ever sweeps up. His distribution isn't up to much either. No idea why everyone goes on about him. Distinctly average for decades.
true, given is wank when it comes to any thing other than shot stopping. hes basically almunia in disguise
Have to agree with Anon 4.53.: We let goals in because our defence is not big enough to stop high balls into our six yard box. Given is no taller than our centre backs at 6 foot, but Schwarzer is 6 foot 7 and a better bet in my opinion.
anon
no chance of getting gibbon. like others have said: not tall enough and regected by wenger in the past. he is also a moaner and has his own opinions so wenger would not touch him with a barge pole.
go on wenger, get up off your hands and offer some more money and get the aussie.
All you people that say given is average are mad he is a great shot stopper and he is commanding he may not be the tallest but he can claim the ball and if you watched Schwarzer in the wrld cup you would see he is much worst and can't claim an easy ball to save his life. and we can get more out of given as he is younger.
Arsene should have sorted the goalkeeping situation as soon as he knew our opening fixture would be at Anfield.
He can't possibly play Fabianski who has made at least one blunder in all the high profile matches he's played in.His confidence is shot and Wenger would be foolish to put him in the firing line.
Almunia is hacked off that Wenger is supposedly chasing other keepers so would he be 100% focused?
He cannot possibly give Szczesny his Arsenal debut in front of The Kop!
That leaves Mannone who showed some early promise last season before submitting to a couple of errors.
I would go for Almunia on experience alone...but the players in front of the defence will have to put in a shift if we are to avoid an opening day defeat.
Believe me Schwarzer is past his best..no better than Almunia as his gaffs at The Emirates last May and at the World Cup showed.
Com'on you Gunners!
@ 7:15 PM - We are not crazy, we talk about what we see. I have watched Given over 100 times, either live or on TV, and he has come for around 15 crosses in those 100+ games. That is a fact.
If Wenger didnt sign Given 2 years ago why will he do so now?Wenger thinks Almunia and Flappy are world class!!!!
With the possible signing of Schwarzer it proves once again Wenger has got a clue about goalkeeping
Not good news ... Wenger has said who ever starts at anfield on Sunday is our No1 for the season, I can't see any deal being tied up before tomorrow, looks like another season of Manuel Ican'tevencatchphneoumunia or lucas flapyanski
Sad times
Worst. Banner. Ever.
Given and Schwarzer's faults are well-known. Arsenal need long-term goalkeeping options...perhaps someone like Hugo Lloris who currently plays for Lyon would fit the bill?
Totally agree, Given would be great, I am not sure Schwartzer would be much better than Almunia. Almunia isn't the best but he makes some great saves (a couple of penalties last season were spectacular). Given would be my ideal choice, experienced and top quality...I only hope Wenger see it the same way. Was so chuffed Hart was in goal and also did well yesterday, paved the way for Given to leave.
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