My Kingdom For A ‘Keeper!!

Stops like this were a rarity in 2009-2010

I’m probably not writing anything that anyone doesn’t already know but with 1 week left to go before the start of the 2010-2011 campaign, Arsenal find themselves in dire need of a a true number 1 ‘keeper. It’s current top two, Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski, don’t instill any kind of confidence in the team’s ability to contend for a title of any kind.

Lukasz Fabianski was brought in from that goalkeeping powerhouse Leiga Warsaw (I jest) and was touted as the Polish number for their national team. For the sake of the Polish national team I hope not. In the 10 matches Fabianski featured in last season (in all competitions) he lost 6 out of 10 starts – he lost 2 of 4 in the EPL. In his 10 starts he only managed 1 clean-sheet and single handedly cost Arsenal matches against Wigan and Blackburn. He has no confidence in the back and does not command his defenders like a solid keeper should. By the end of the season with a band aid seemingly holding the defencive line together, a strong presence in goal could’ve made up for some of the gaps. As it was, Fabianski didn’t instill that confidence and it was clearly evident.

But with limited last season the damage that Fabianski did was minimal (thank goodness) to the damage done by our #1 shot stopper, Manuel Almunia. In the simples of statements, I think Manuel Almunia is punching above his weight in goal for Arsenal. He lacks presence, influence, and calmness needed in the big spots. His ball distribution skills are pitiful and clearly his back four do not have the confidence in him that he can make the big stop when called on. This last thought puts a big pressure on them to be on all the time, something even the best back four can do.

In ranking Almunia from last season, he was  17th in the league in save percentage. He featured a paltry 67% on 88 shots he faced.  To me if you can’t stop over 70%  your shots, especially when you face so few (Arsenal were in top 3 of fewest shots allowed last season) then there is an issue. The breakdown of save percentage for the league is:

1. Brad Friedel, Aston Villa – 80% of 157 Shots
2. Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton Wanderers – 80% of 128
3. Edwin van der Sar, Man Utd – 80% of 61
4. Joe Hart, Birmingham City – 79% of 181
5. Huerelho Gomes, Tottenham Hotspur – 79% of 99
6. Thomas Sorenson, Stoke City – 78% of 141
7. Craig Gordon, Sunderland – 77% of 117
8. Mark Schwarzer, Fulham – 75% of 143
9. Jose Reina, Liverpool – 72% of 118
10. Tim Howard, Everton – 70% of 147
11. Shay Given, Man City – 70% of 135
12. Petr Cech, Chelsea – 70% of 81
13. Boaz Myhill, Hull – 69% of 177
14. Robert Green, West Ham – 68% of 176
15. Paul Robinson, Blackburn Rovers – 68% of 141
16. Jussi Jaaskelainen – 67% of 184
17. Manuel Almunia, Arsenal – 67% of 88
18. Brian Jensen, Burnley – 66% of 200
19. Chris Kirkland, Wigan Athletic – 65% of 144
20. David James, Portsmouth – 61% of 106

(This analysis comes from the Plain Soccer blog)

Simply put I don’t think Almunia has the ability to be a number 1 in the EPL. His decision making is shoddy and some of his basic skills – ball punching – are questionable. In fairness he is capable of pulling off a stunner of a game, as was the point in the first leg against Barcelona. But that performance was the exception and not the rule.  Another issue I have with Almunia is his lack of focus. In matches where he does not face a lot of shots or there is a lot action on the Arsenal side of the field, he seems to lose his place and forgets to focus on the match. Which results in the late score going in because he wasn’t in the game the whole time.

It is also telling about Manuel Almunia that regardless of the site you check, when pundits are asked to compare is ability he scores low in almost every category. Regardless, of whether its aerial ability, command of the box, foot skills, or reflexes, he is viewed across the board as not having the requisite skills that make you a world class keeper. And even in our winter of discontent, Arsenal is still world class club and deserves a world class keeper between the sticks.

Sure we have Vito Mannone and Wojicech Szczesny in the wings and both are growing but I think the club would like them to get more first team experience without sacrificing the possibility for club success. The performance by Flapianski in yesterday’s final pre-season match of the year only solidified the need for a new keeper in everyone’s mind. It should also be telling that ahead of that match the internet was abuzz with a rumour that Arsenal had lodged a £23 million bid for Pepe Reina. While the numbers affixed to the deal seem to point to this being a rumour, the fact that the club are being tied to numerous goal keepers – Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer and Marchetti out of Italy being the primary targets – suggests that the club know we need a number 1. Whether there is now time left to secure the services of a new keeper.

Who replaces Almunia and Fabianksi is sort of irrelavant at this moment. Both options are not adequate for a team of this club’s stature. Ideally I think it needs to be someone like Schwarzer who is solid but doesn’t have a lot of time left. From every indication Szczesny has the makings of a true number 1. Getting someone like Hart or Green into the squad doesn’t make sense if you have someone with that supposed talent and that young sitting the bench waiting for a shot. A true veteran who has been through the wars and can be a mentor to a young keeper is what we need in here and I hope it happens. But who knows.

Arsenal have always been blessed with a solid attack. Scoring goals doesn’t seem like it is going to be a problem. But it is getting tiring going into each match thinking you can either win or lose by 3 or 4 goals.