Ok, so with my previous post rousing up some decent debating about the state of our defence, I was just wondering where people stood on the #1 GK situation? For me there are only two possibilities for the position, and I shall try and cover as fully as I can, my reasoning behind this, and my ultimate decision. The first being that we stick with Szczesny at #1, and decide to bring either Mannone or a Youth GK into the current first team squad. The second being that Wenger buys a world class keeper to be #1, and for Szczesny to be his understudy, until such time as he surpasses the keeper Wenger bought. So the first possibility, let us discuss. Szczesny had a breakout season in 10/11, and few would deny that he is the best GK Arsenal currently have to offer. He has had some fine games for us, and has kept a number of cleansheets, as well as bringing a sense of a commanding presence we haven't seen since Seaman or Lehmann. Szczesny is very young still and at 6ft 7 is pretty much the perfect build to be a top top keeper. There is a lot of room for improvement in his game, and I do think has the ability to become world class. Whether he attains this or not, will be seen in the years to come. However, being #1 at such a young age means that technically noone is his better. There isn't anyone pushing him to constantly improve his game so he can get to the #1. This I see as a more detrimental fact, than him pushing himself to keep the #1 jersey. There is no real threat to his position if he keeps the #1 jersey next season, not only that, who will he have to learn from? To emulate? We've touched on the coaching of the defensive side being fairly weak in the past few seasons, and whilst all defensive players are being trained to be very technical, and pinpoint perfect, this doesn't exactly encompass a lot of the defence's role, especially the GKs. Where Arsenal lack in coaching, is their ability to be taught to be commanding, to be vocal, and to be assured of ones choices. Most times I see Arsenal concede are because there has been a failure to communicate properly, not because the other team played an unplayable ball. THIS needs to be improved, and if the keeping stays the same, then how will Szczesny be taught this? Also as a secondary note to this point, and something I have mentioned before is; What will be the media perception of Szczesny in the upcoming season, if he remains at #1? All I can see is the media waiting, like hyenas, waiting for the young lad to make a mistake (mistakes keepers far better than he is, have made) and then getting crucified for it. How will Szczesny cope with this? Is there anyway that Arsenal can shake this media pigeon hole? (I doubt even if Szczesny was #1 and kept 20 cleansheets in the league, it would change if he made a mistake here or there, and Arsenal didn't win the league). So onto the second possibility: Wenger buying a keeper to come in as #1 for the next season. If Wenger is thinking a long the same kind of lines that I am, when taking into account the #1 position, then surely his target will be someone experienced, someone world class, and someone with proven pedigree. Only one name comes to mind who fulfils this: Maarten Stekelenburg, Dutch national keeper, currently at Ajax, and potentially looking for a step up. He was on the radar of United, and VDS stated he wished his Dutch successor would also be his club successor. This is as good as an endorsement as I need. He is 28 so has the potential for a few more years in him, giving Szczesny time to develop properly. I believe Szczesny will be Arsenal #1 someday, but he needs someone like Stekelenburg to emulate. It was clear he learnt alot from Lehmanns brief stay, and Stekelenburg will be a good role model. Vocal, commanding and technically sound. It may also shed away the media pigeonhole, as few can deny Stekelenburgs pedigree. If the coaching doesn't change in any significant way, then Stekelenburg can improve Szczesnys game, on a one to one basis, and this can only be a good thing. If Wenger doesn't have a similar thought pattern and decides to buy a new keeper, he is obviously going to start with the best potentially available, and that would be Neuer. At 25, he has atleast 10 years of keeping left in him, and is currently touted as the one of the best keepers in the world. This would potentially send Szczesny out of Arsenal, as we look to bring in young prospects for 10 years down the line. So where do I think Wenger needs to go. Well personally I think Szczesny is the future of Arsenal, but I don't think he is ready yet, certainly for the criticism he will surely receive when he makes that inevitable mistake. I throw my hat into the ring for the purchase of Stekelenburg, may only be as much as 10 million and will certainly be a great buy, which will allow us to get rid of our underperformers, and pave the way for the youth to enter the fray. Of course this is a discussion, and not me dicatating to you, so what are your opinions? Should Wenger stick with Szczesny? Should he buy a new keeper? and if yes who? Or do you agree with me?
Wenger should still get swaczher to be the wise head above szceney...slowly bleeding szceney in. However we all know..yes it's nice to debate...yes it's nice to dream and wonder on what it would be like - BUT the reality is...wenger will NOT buy a keeper...any keeper...wenger IS completely convinced the keeper situation is sorted...and even more delusional ..im sure wenger feels not only will FABIANSKI be in the squad...but that he will challenge sczeney for #1 delusion has long been wenger's middle name... so we can keep giving opinions..reasons for what we should do..but at the end of the day NO-ONE can tell wenger anything... from the words of perry groves "when a manager (like wenger) Creates a legacy/dynasty...they then soon become a dicatator"..giving him license to listen to no-one and be as egotistical as possible ah well - you can dream!
You can't buy Stekelenburg with a view to Sczez taking over from him someday. At 28, Stek could potentially have another 10 years as a top level goalkeeper. You think Sczez is going to wait on the bench for that long? As for Schwarzer.. That was a good idea last year, when Sczez was totally unproven (hence the bid for him), but now what's the point? He's not as good as Sczez, and imo wouldn't start ahead of him now. It's a risk, but I say (and I think this is what we'll do) bite the bullet and trust Sczez as no. 1. He seems to have his head screwed on ok, and seems to have the right attitude, so give him the shot. He wouldn't be the first keeper to be made no. 1 at a young age. And Fabianksi isn't as bad backup as you make out.
Szczesny is not a shy 20 year old and if he becomes a no 2 after being top dog this season, it would not surprise me if he made waves via Twitter about going elsewhere.
I'm fine with Szczesny as number 1 to be honest. He's only going to get better, which means he will be one of the top keepers in the world one day.
Wenger will only do 1 of 2 different options: 1. Stick with Szczesny and take the gamble 2. Purchase an experienced keeper with only a few seasons left where Szczesny can learn from them and eventually take his spot Anything else and Szczesny will leave. It's a gamble but to be fair he was playing in front of a dodgy defence and it's his first season. If he gets a good preseason as No.1 and settled into the side he could drastically improve this season to reach the potential we all see in him. Let's face it, it'd be better than starting the season knowing Almunia is No.1
wow needed some coffee to get through that one, but give scezzcncnzcnzny ( you know what i mean) a shot i think he has performed well and has earned the chance to be no.1 at the very least
Szczesny number 1 Sorenson number 2. Fabianski should leave, not because I don't think he is decent, but he needs to play week in week out, especially in this season that leads to the 2012 Euros staged in Poland. I would also expect Mannone to leave. Not as good as Wojciech, but has gained enough of a reputation to get a decent move to a club where he will be first choice. Next season I expect Szczesny to be number 1, an experienced keeper signed to play back up and Martinez or Shea (The Argie is the better keeper, but maybe will get a loan spell) to be third choice.
