Calamity goalkeeper Manuel Almunia lived up to his reputation as an accident waiting to happen with another horror show in the Gunners embarrassing 3-2 defeat to West Brom on Saturday.
You don’t have to be a season ticket holder at the Emirates to point out the weak link in the Arsenal side, one which has grown more apparent and increasingly clear over the last few seasons. Arsenal fans begged their manager Arsene Wenger to sign a new goalkeeper during the transfer window and finally end the circus surrounding the incompetency of Almunia. Of course, the Frenchman declined this opportunity.
Almunia has failed to win trust with Arsenal fans during his time at the Emirates, with the large majority believing he is an inadequate custodian to be relied upon between the sticks. The Spanish stopper has flattered to deceive since replacing German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann as the club’s No.1 in 2008 and his career in North London continues to be defined by glaring errors and lapses in concentration.
This was again highlighted against the Baggies at the weekend with Almunia enduring an afternoon he will want to forget in a hurry. The nightmare began when he clumsily brought down winger Peter Odemwingie in the penalty area in the first-half. Despite saving the spot-kick, the 33-year-old then fumbled Odemwingie’s shot in the second, one which doubled the visitor’s advantage. Almunia was caught out again for the third goal when he rushed needlessly out of position to leave former Gunner Jerome Thomas with an easy finish.
[divider]
Frenchman Wenger refused to blame Almunia for the shocking defeat and his goalkeeping blindness continues to cost Arsenal and undermine the club’s pursuit of trophies. It is difficult to see Arsenal winning a trophy with Almunia in goal. Former manager George Graham, who led the club to two First Division titles, believes that the club will not win anything without a top goalkeeper.
“I think if you’re going to really be realistic challengers for the Premier League you need a top, top-class goalkeeper,” revealed Graham.
“I think Almunia is a good goalkeeper but there’s about half a dozen good goalkeepers in the Premier League.
“Arsenal need an outstanding goalkeeper. I think they should be looking all round the world, not just in England or Europe.”
It’s astonishing that Wenger did not address the issue over the summer. While his prudence in the transfer market is celebrated and lamented in equal measures, Wenger should have met Fulham’s demands over the transfer of the ever-consistent Mark Schwarzer. The fact Arsenal’s pursuit of the 37-year-old became so public, completely undermines Almunia’s position in the side. Polish stopper Lukasz Fabianski produced a man of the match display against Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday night, yet you wonder if he is the long-term answer to the Arsenal’s goalkeeping issues.
The latest candidates to emerge as a potential Arsenal No.1 are Sunderland’s Craig Gordon and a shock move for Liverpool’s Pepe Reina. A loan move for City’s Shay Given has also been mooted. Gordon remains the most likely out of the three and at a reasonable price could give Arsenal’s back-line the consistency needed for a genuine title challenge.
Wenger is his own man and usually refuses to bow to public pressure over his transfer signings and team selection, but it is thought has finally run out of patience with Almunia. He is now ready to act on the problem in January, yet by then it could all be too late for Wenger and his young guns for another season.
You can read more of my blogs HERE or follow me on Twitter.
TOP TEN: Most bizarre goals of all-time
TOP TEN: Misses in football history
Andy Gray’s top commentary moments