Is Mark Schwarzer the answer in goal?
I fully concede that Arsenal need a goalie. Hell, you’d be crazy not to, and the only people who would disagree with that statement are the current Arsenal goalies, and even they’d think twice about it. Despite our need, I can’t help but feel that Mark Schwarzer isn’t the man for the job. He would certainly be an upgrade over our present lot, but his signing would still leave something to be desired. The 37-year old is a consistent goalkeeper if not a spectacular one, and that appears to be good enough for Arsene Wenger at this point. It’s hard to blame him considering how many points we have conceded because of poor play in goal.
If Schwarzer signs, I would mildly clap my hands and breathe a sigh of relief that we won’t have to see any more of Fabianski and much less of Almunia. But I still feel our goalie situation is significantly weaker than United, Chelsea, Man City and the bunch. Given how much the clubs who finish usually below us have improved over the last couple years, I find it even more necessary that we sure up this key position with a player who is simply better, if not equal, to his counterparts from these clubs. We could eek by with Schwarzer, but it will be mighty tight.
And that’s today’s poll:
i honestly would rather have a younger keeper who will be able to be there for more then just a season. Schwarzer is 37 at this age the only other keepers I see that give me a run for his money at his age is Friedel and Van Der Sar. If they are looking for someone in the premier league already then I’ve always been a huge fan of Jussi Jaaskelainen, who plays for an average team, but he’s produced a lot of game saving stops and has kept them in the premier league for a number of seasons now
I wrote this a few days ago, apologies, English is not first Language!
4 Possible replacements for Arsenal’s Goalkeeping woes
After watching Fabianski and Almunia at their pre-season games, I feel the time has come to voice my opinions on who we should sign, how much they will cost and why they would be a good addition.
Before I begin, the list is in no particular order, and my sole opinion and I know people will disagree.
Also, I mention the players not being a tall enough a few times, I’m my eyes a keeper should be 6ft 6” minimum, and have the wing span of a Boeing 747, beggers can’t be choosers eh?
1) Igor Akinfeev (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Akinfeev )
Igor is an up and coming Russian Keeper currently playing for CSKA Moscow, I believe he would be a good addition to the Arsenal team as, from what I saw in the champion’s league, he can control his area and pulled off some amazing and vital saves to give his team a chance in the second leg vs Man UTD.
The downside is his size, standing at 6ft and 1” he isn’t exactly the intimidating keeper Van Der Sar and Petr Cech is, but when you look at the caps he’s won for Russia (40 to date) and the medals won with CSKA (16 To date) he’s obviously a talent.
How much: I predict that around £13-16 million would be needed for his services.
2) Sebastian Frey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_Frey)
At 30 years old, many would say this keeper has had his time, but in my opinion, goal keepers are at their best when their above 30.
Standing at 6ft 2” he is once again a little on the short side for my liking but the years of experience he has behind him would more than make up for that.
I believe that he being French would also help the back 4, with Clichy, Sanga and Koscielny all speaking the language. Although Vermaelen doesn’t speak French, I still believe it will be a good thing.
His experience will also help him command his area and tech the younger defenders, Gibbs for example, how to position themselves.
How much: I predict that considering his age, Arsenal would have to pay around £5-6 Million.
3) Rene Adler (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Adler)
At the age of 25, Rene makes it on to my list as one of the younger goalkeepers.
Standing at 6ft 3” he is once again a little short in my eyes but what he lacks in height he makes up for in pure talent.
Winning the Bundesliga Goal keeper of the year award in 2008 and being capped for Germany 9 times, which would have been more if he didn’t get injured before the world cup, shows that he has what it takes to be one of the best in Europe.
How much: The Germans are always keen to keep their players in their country, so I doubt we’d ever get him, I’d say around £20 Million if we’re lucky.
4) Hugo Llors (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Lloris)
At only 23, Hugo is defiantly a purchase for the future, but that’s not to say he can’t hit the ground running.
Being one of my favourite young French players, this guy has it all, apart from the height of course, not only is he now Frances #1 Keeper, he has won the French Ligue 1 Goalkeeper of the year two years running.
One of the other reasons I think he will be good at Arsenal, is the same as Frey, he speaks French, the back four speak French.
Another was the amazing performance against Real Madrid in the champions league, with anyone else in goal, they would surely have been knocked out.
How much: I think that Llors would want to move to Arsenal, and we’d only have to pay £11-13 Million for him. A bargain in my eyes.
i totally agree with singha…
Jaaskelainen is a top class keeper
Don’t write Schwarzer off, he was one of the main reasons Fulham did so well last season. In my opinion he has always been a great keeper who deserved to be in a better team then boro/fulham. Easily one of the best keepers last season.
Would be great for Gunners given our situation as it stands….I just hope it happens
we need a younger keeper…….JOE HART!!!
@Alii did you see him against the Spuds. Citeh will never give him up.
[...] Is Mark Schwarzer the answer in goal? – Arsenalist – Arsenal Video … [...]
wenger is only buying schwarzer as a mentor for flapianski and manonne, he will be a consistent goalkeeper for a couple of seasons and then hopefully the others will have improved.
as it states the guy that starts tomorrow is the no.1 but isn’t certain as Arsene states. I’m sure it’s going to be Alumnia
Stekelenburg will be great for us I think. He had a great WC + he has RvP and TV here as friends…
i prefer schwarzer but honestly has everyone forgot? we were really supposed to get another center-back this season and I was really looking forward for either mertesacker or zapata coming to arsenal.. -____-” the whole goalkeeper situation is good too but we need BOTH! center-back and goalkeeper. And sadly I have a strong feeling we aren’t going to get neither the way things are going right now.
given would be perfect for the job. forget joe hart he is the first keeper of city and is not up for sale. shay given should be available as he didnt play againt tottenham. mark schwarzer should be backup plan in case shay given dosen’t come through. but ,ost of all someone has to tell wenger that almunia is too unstable too play. a mistake could happen anytime. i don’t understand why wenger dosent see that
I wouldn’t write off Schwarzer so quickly, guys. Goalies tend to come in to their own during the later stages of their career, and get better with age. The position that requires younger players to be brought in are outer positions.
Obviously Schwarzer wouldn’t be the ideal choice, but because he’d be head and shoulders above Almunia and Fabianski Wenger would be a fool not to sign him.
@Arsenalist What about shay given surely his days are number at man city because of joe hart.. 2 of the best goal keepers in the prem fighting for one spot wtf we need himmm !!