Arsenal Want Djalo But No New Goalkeeper

Arsenal face Liverpool today in what is a massive game for Wenger's side as they try to close the gap on Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table. Arsenal will therefore be coming up against the goalkeeper that they tried to sign a couple of transfer windows ago, Pepe Reina.

However, that was before Wojciech Szczesny appeared as a solid figure between the white sticks at the Emirates. He has, Wenger believes, turned into a potential number 1 goalkeeper, and, now recovered from the dislocated finger he suffered against Barcelona in the Champions League, he will be out to prove it against Liverpool:

"Szczesny he has the calibre to be a goalkeeper at Arsenal Football Club and we have Fabianski as well."

"Szczesny has the potential [to be No 1]. It will be a fight because Fabianski will be back. We still have Almunia too, he has one year to go [on his contract].

"We can always in mid-season call Jens Lehmann back!" 

From that then, we can take that Wenger will not be delving into the transfer window to purchase a new goalkeeper, as he has all he needs already at the club. From Szczesny's performances this season, that is understandable. Aside from the defensive mishap in the Carling Cup final, he has been blunder free - something his team mates and rivals, Fabianski and Almunia, cannot boast.

Wenger's comments also seems to spell an end to Manuel Almunia's Arsenal career. No mention of the Spanish goalkeeper and Arsenal's fans huge general mistrust in him are not promising signs, and with the two Polish youngsters and a possible Lehmann return, he won't be getting many games next season anyway.

But according to some reports, Arsenal will try to improve their team further up the pitch with the signing of Yannick Djalo.

The 24 year-old Portuguese forward currently plays for Sporting Lisbon and has attracted attention from various clubs including Everton, but Arsenal are apparently favourites to sign Djalo who can operate both as a winger and a striker.

Djalo possesses blistering pace and has a strong physical presence, making over 80 appearances for Sporting, scoring 20 goals. Sporting will therefore be expecting to make £8 million for the player who has appeared once for Portugal so far.

Szczesny to Start As Fans Turn Against Almunia

Arsenal's very promising goalkeeper Wojciech Sczcesny will start against Liverpool for the first time since he dislocated his finger in the Champions League loss at the hands of Barcelona. The 20 year-old has made a swift recovery since his injury in early March, and has returned quicker than expected, as he was initially thought to be out until the end of April.

The Polish 'keeper will celebrate his 21st birthday on the 18th of this month, which he will hope to celebrate in good spirits after a win at the Emirates to a Liverpool side who travel on the back of thrashing a poor Manchester City by three goals to nothing.

Jens Lehmann had to step in for the Blackpool game last week, due to a knee injury to Almunia in the warm up. Almunia's injury came to the apparent relief of the majority of Arsenal fans who voted on my poll issued just after the Blackpool game on who they would rather in the Arsenal goal for the remainder of the season:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said:

"Szczesny will play. It's a big surprise for us because we thought his season was over. But he was given the green light four weeks after the Barcelona game and he has had a full week of training.

"Jens wants to help out when needed and he knows the rule. I want to congratulate him on the game he played."

Watch Goals: Blackpool 1 - 3 Arsenal

After Manchester United's influential Nani orchestrated an easy yet uninspired win and won three points against Fulham on Saturday, Arsenal's game against Blackpool was even more crucial in their race for the title. The Gunners fended off Blackpool's good start, helped by their loud and vibrant home support, cheering at every attack, and, against the run of play, Arsenal were able to carve open the Blackpool defence twice in quick succession to silence Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool were not in the giving up mood however. The second half saw the home crowd have much more to cheer about, with plenty of chances created, mostly in the first 20 minuted or so of the half. About 7 minutes into the second half, Taylor-Fletcher had forced the Tangerines back into the game with a good finish to beat the returning Jens Lehmann who was playing due to the late injury to Almunia in the warm up. Reports that Lehmann injured the Spaniard himself are unconfirmed. 

The German keeper could have been sent off in the lead up to the goal, bringing down an onrushing DJ Campbell to prevent him from scoring. Lee Mason had played the advantage previously when Wilshere brought down a Blackpool player, and he played it again which prevented Lehmann's dream return turning into a nightmare.

For about 10 or 15 minutes after the goal, Blackpool looked dangerous, but as Arsenal began to weather the storm, there looked like there would be only one result. And despite Blackpool's worthy efforts to get the equaliser, the game was killed off by a van Persie goal thanks to Theo Walcott's break in the 76th minute.

The Manchester United optimists and the Arsenal pessimists believe that the title race is already over, with a now seven point gap too much to overcome. But with a game in hand and a big game between the two sides to come, it may not be that simple.

Who Would Arsenal Fans Rather In Goal - Almunia or Lehmann?

Manuel Almunia suffered a knee injury in the warm up before Arsenal's crucial game against Blackpool today, and as a result, the 41 year-old German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was played in Arsenal's goal. It was his first start since rejoining Arsenal as he came out of retirement to be back up to Almunia at the club, and he wasn't troubled too much in a game largely dominated by the Gunners.

Lehmann could have been sent off in the build up to Blackpool's first and only goal in the game in which he dived down to trip up DJ Campbell. A goal was scored anyway and Lee Mason played the advantage to Blackpool, preventing a red card being shown or a penalty given.

It is, as yet unclear as to How serious Almunia's injury is, but in the vital final few games, the question is, who would Arsenal fans rather have in goal, Manuel Almunia or Jens Lehmann?
Vote Below:

Who would Arsenal fans rather have in goal, Manuel Almunia or Jens Lehmann?

Lehmann to Return to Arsenal

Jens Lehmann could soon become one of very few current Arsenal players to have lifted any silverware wearing the Arsenal kit. Lehmann won several trophies at Arsenal; the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and claimed Champions League runners up medal. 

Arsenal have not won a major trophy since the German left Arsenal, and whats more, when Lehmann won the Premier League with Arsenal in 2004, it was done so without losing a single match. His anticipated return to Arsenal comes too late to repeat this feat, just as it is unlikely for the achievement to be completed again, but his experience in abundance and leadership qualities could prove vital in a title race with all too familiar rivals.

Lehmann is reportedly in talks with Arsenal over a short term move to solve Arsenal's current goalkeeping crisis. Wojciech Szczesny, Lukas Fabianski and Vito Mannone are all injured and therefore unavailable, leaving only Manuel Almunia to occupy the goal. Of course you only need one goalkeeper on the pitch at one time, but suppose Almunia were to pick up an injury - which considering Arsenal's current bad luck seems unfortunately likely. They need another keeper, and Lehmann could be a perfectly satisfactory solution.

It is ironic that upon Lehmann's supposed return to Arsenal, Manuel Almunia will be ahead of him in the pecking order. During his Arsenal days, Lehman became increasingly frustrated with the fact that Almunia was chosen ahead of him, and complained to Wenger about it;

"My coach confirmed my impression that he uses a different measuring stick to evaluate [Manuel] Almunia. For me this was a disappointment. It's very frustrating. When I see the performances on the field, I get angry and I have to clench my fist in my pocket."

That was said in 2007, and it looks as if four year on, Lehmann will return with his fist clenched firmly in his pockets. However, it is a nice situation for him to be in - returning from retirement to a club which he earned close to 200 appearance for, and helped to several (now rare) trophies. He could also help the current, still relatively inexperienced squad during the final stages of this incredibly tight title race.

It's a win - win situation isn't it? Well, unless the form of the end of his Arsenal career returns, and upon playing his first football game in a while if Almunia doesn't start, makes a crucial, title losing mistake.

Almunia Out of Arsenal, Adler In for United

Goalkeepers look set for moves in this January's transfer window for both Arsenal and Manchester United, with Almunia seemingly on his way out Arsenal, while German stopper, Rene Adler may be on his way to Manchester United as Ferguson prepares for life without Edwin van der sar.

Firstly, with Almunia. The 33 year-old Spaniard has fallen out of favour in the Arsenal team, and is now the third choice goalkeeper, with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski ahead of him in the pecking order. Galatasaray, Athletico Madrid and Malaga have all been rumoured to be interested in Almunia, and Wenger appears to admit that the former Arsenal number ones situation is far from secure, as when asked whether he will leave said:

"There is a small chance. Yes, I have had a chat with him, but nothing is decided. We are in no-man's land at the moment on that front."

After conceding three goals against West Brom in Arsenals 3 - 2 loss back in late September, Almunia has not played as much as he would have liked. A move away to a club that could guarantee him first team football, and a club that could put up with a few errors now and then, will be a team Almunia would jump a the chance of joining.

Arsenal's title rivals, Manchester United also have a goalkeeping situation on their hands as Edwin van der sar is set for retirement at the end of the season. Anders Lindegaard has already been signed, and Ben Amos has been sent on loan for experience, while Tomasz Kuszczak has more or less threatened to leave unless he is made the number one keeper. This is probably unlikely, and Sir Alex Ferguson knows that. He want a more experienced, top quality goalkeeper, and Rene Adler is reportedly on of the names on his shortlist.

Before the January transfe window, Fergusonclaimed he wouldn't be bringing any new faces to Old Trafford. He has now changed his mind, and said:

"I'd like to get one player in during the transfer window if I could."

25 year-old German goalkeeper Rene Adler has not been shy about expressing his love for Manchester United. He has a clause in his contract which states that if United are to bid £15 million, his current club, Bayer Leverkuen must let him go. Adler was a fan of United as a child, and Peter Schmeichel was his idol:

"I have told the Leverkusen board that I am not willing to discuss any new contract until April. The board of the club are aware of the special clause in my contract.

"As a kid, my friends were interested in cartoons, MTV and German TV programmes, but I was the only interested in one person - Peter Schmeichel - who was in goal for Manchester United."

"I thought he was fantastic and loved every minute he was on TV with United. My whole bedroom was full of Schmeichel posters and United things"

Who better to have at your club than a quality player that has dreamed of playing for your team as a child? There will be no question of his comitmn to the club, especially as he went to the trouble of creating the unusual get-out clause.

Wojciech Szczesny To Start in Goal for Arsenal against United



Szczesny reveals how many goals he will concede tonight

 Wojciech Szczesny will start for Arsenal against Manchester United tonight in a game which could send either team to the top of the table.  
Szczesny confirmed the news by replying to a Polish journalist, who texted him over the speculation;
when asked if he would 'play against Manchester', Szczesny replied: 'Yes, and I'm really happy about it.'
Fabianski is said to have a groin injury and will not be risked, and despite Almunia declaring himself fit, the Spaniard will be overlooked.

The 20 year-old Polish goalkeeper has only 3 appearances for Arsenal's first team, but will be thrown in at the deep end as he comes face to face with a strike force, who, on their day are one of the best in the world in Rooney and Berbatov. However, Wenger has seen something in Szczesny in his time at the club, and thinks he has all the qualities to cope with players like these, as in January 2010, the Frenchman said:

"I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal's No 1. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper"

Is today the day that he becomes Arsenal's number one? In such a big game against good opposition, there is no doubt, he will have plenty of time to prove himself. But there is also little doubt that the move to put such an inexperienced goalkeeper in to a big game so fast is a bit of a risk - especially as Manuel Almunia has declared himself fit.

Arsenal to Sign Blackpool's Gilks?

Arsene Wenger is reportedly interested in bringing the Blackpool number one goalkeeper, Matt Gilks to the Emirates, while the Blackpool manager Ian Holloway seems resigned to losing Gilks in the near future after he accepted that there is no way Blackpool can compete in wage terms.

The Blackpool boss said:

“With the wages we pay, there’s only so long I can hold them. Matt is out of contract next summer and at the moment that is something he wants to be.

“If I can’t nail him down I’ll have to find someone else and I’ve got till January to try and convince him to stay, because he can sign a pre-contract somewhere else in January.

“Matt probably feels a bit aggrieved with how much he is on. What he is trying to do is play himself into a better position in his life, so he commands a bit more respect and a better wages.”

Arsenal have much more money to spend on wages than the newly promoted Blackpool, and this as well as playing for one of the top clubs in the best League in the world will both be major factors in his decision. As his contract expires at the end of the season, he could leave on a free transfer, however Blackpool would be  upset if they couldn't get any money with a possible sale from the 28-year-old.
A move for him in January would be convenient for both parties as Arsenals Manuel Almunia has been told he can leave with Spanish team Malaga interested.

Gilks then added some more substance to the rumour with this:

"The Premier League is the league in the world to play in and that's what I want to do," 

"Obviously I'm out of contract at the end of the season and I don't think we're close to getting anything sorted. If I have to move on, hopefully it will be to another Premier League club because I need to stay in the league."

The former Rochdale and Norwich shot-stopper is currently out injured with a broken knee cap, but is expected to return in the new year, the question is, when he returns, will he be playing at Bloomfield Road, or the Emirates?

Almunia will miss Arsenals next match, but will Arsenal miss him?

Arsenal will play Partizan Belgrade during the week, and the figure in their goal - to the relief of Arsenal fans will not be Manuel Almunia. That's the good news for you Arsenal fans - the only good news, because the goalkeeper to replace Almunia will be Fabianski.

Almunia will miss the match because he picked up an injury against West Brom on Saturday when he dived in at Odemwingies feet to give away a penalty. He saved the resulting penalty, but stayed true to his low standards with a blunder to allow a shot to bounce off of his arms (with the intention of preventing the goal of course!) and end up in his net, which what should have been a routine save.

Fabianski being the replacement may also give Arsenal fans a sick feeling in their stomach with mistakes and costly errors just around the corner for the Polish "stopper". Why Wenger didn't rip open his cheque-book and drive himself to the nearest football club (it doesn't matter where) and find himself a new goalkeeper in the summer is beyond me. Anyone would have done. Just someone. It's even more baffling when you consider that Arsenal recorded about £56 million of profits for last season. As well as being linked to a £30 million teenager from the Barcelona B-Team, Oriol Romeu, Wenger needed to get his priorities right instead of sticking with the keepers he has and disappointing the Arsenal fans that trust him so much.

Almunia "Doen't need to convince anyone"

Almunia: Something to prove?

There are times when Arsenal fans thank God that they have Almunia as their goalkeeper. He sometimes makes some match winning saves that can keep Arsenal in a game, or help Arsenal to win a game. This, after all is a goalkeepers job. However, there are times when the opposition thanks God that Arsenal have Almunia in goal for he can be very uncertain and untrustworthy as he stands there, staring bitterly at his opposite number, wishing they could swap bodies as the ball is picked out of his net after another terrible blunder.

He said "I don't need to convince anybody – I just do my job". I tend to agree with the latter, yes, he does do his job, and he can do it well; last season he played 36 times and kept 13 clean sheets. Nevertheless, I have trouble agreeing with the first part. I know a few Arsenal fans who may disagree. His blunders last season cost Arsenal a few games, and this is not what you look for in a goalkeeper. Of course, you can allow for a few mistakes - everyone makes them, but Almunia has probably made a few too many, and for that reason he really does need to prove himself. I think, if Arsene Wenger shows a huge amount of faith and sticks with Almunia next season, the Spaniard does need to convince his fans of his abilities and his consistency, because so far in his career, consistency has been what is lacking.

Rumours have circulated that Wenger is interested in bringing a new goalkeeper to London. With a £2 million bid for Mark Schwarzer being rejected, and rumours that German keeper Rene Adler is also wanted by Wenger, if one of the deals is completed, then Almunia will have something to prove.

What keeper, if any do you think Arsenal should buy to add some strength to their defence, and do you think Almunia has something to prove?