Written by Fab4.
Manuel Almunia has claimed he would seek talks with Arsene Wenger about his future should Arsenal bring in a new No.1 this summer. Really Manu…..is that a promise?!
Everyone knows Arsenal need a reliable goalkeeper and despite what some Gooners think, Arsene Wenger knows this fact more than anyone. The problem is Arsene can’t break the habit of a life-time and push the boat out to sign someone, he always wants to get the very best deal possible and will wait until deadline day to make his move.
Now while you may say “what’s wrong with that?”, but it becomes a problem when we’re stuck with a player who is low on confidence as he knows his days at the club are numbered and we have to play important premier league games with an unreliable stopper.
Either Schwarzer or Given would be a huge improvement on our current crop, but given the fact Arsene has already stated his reluctance to deal with Man City (and the fact Schwarzer would be cheaper!), i think the most realistic choice will be the 37-year-old Aussie. Either way, i think you’ll see Almunia move on deadline day, most likely back to Spain with Arsenal snapping up Schwarzer for around £3m. Fabianski will then be back-up once more. (lets hope Schwarzer can stay fit!!!)
My only question is….WHY WAIT?!?!? We could easily get around £2-3m for Almunia so it’s not like we would be out of pocket, so just get the deal’s done this week Arsene.
Now i have no inside knowledge here, it’s just my opinion that Arsene will sell Almunia and sign Schwarzer. I have nothing against Manu, I’m sure he’s a great bloke and he is a decent keeper. The problem is he can’t handle the big games and is simply not up to being No.1 at a club like Arsenal.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen it already, here is what Almunia had to say:
“To be honest, it is so difficult to concentrate because Arsenal is a big club and speculation is always in the news and everywhere,” he said.
“The only thing I can do is keep working because I have a contract here and I have to do what the manager wants from me.
“I have not spoken to him. If somebody comes in, I will have to talk about my future at Arsenal. That is it.”
“I cannot talk now, because the talking would be for nothing,” he continued.
“I have to work and if one day I am not good for Arsenal, I will talk. That is no problem. I am very happy here.
“The only news I have is from third parties — people at the training ground. When I go out and when I come back from training, I switch off.
“I try to live in a bubble and give all my attention to my wife. Every morning when I go out training, it is the time to think about football. But the rest of the day is the time to switch off.
“It is not easy, though. Every time you go out, people are around you who are football fans. But you have to be polite to everybody and smile.”
