In recent years, there has been uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping position at Arsenal. Ever since Jens Lehman left the club, Almunia has failed to fill the gap he left between the sticks. Whilst a good keeper, high profile errors have cost Arsenal dear. Furthermore, it is likely that this summer will see the departure of the Spaniard. Last season saw the emergence of Szczesny and Fabianski. The former has now become a fan favourite and is probably the most likely person to fill the number one shirt next season.
But what of Lukasz?
Despite a rather nervous start to his Arsenal career, Fabianski has matured and last season was enjoying a good spell in goal before a season ending shoulder injury meant that our other Polish keeper (Szczesny) was given a chance. Fabianski has come out with these comments;
“That is my aim and I will do everything that I can to be the No 1.
“In my shoulder and in myself, I am feeling stronger than I was before.
“I am very happy that I am finally fit and I could play a part of the game against Cologne. I am pleased with my fitness level and hopefully it will keep improving.
“Hopefully nothing will come up in the next few weeks and I will be ready for the competition that we have.”
Let’s not forget Vito
Two seasons ago, Manonne had a run in the team and managed to make a name for himself. At the time, he was considered to be our number 3 keeper. It was at this time that our keeper problems seemed most poignant, with mant, often comedic, errors from Almunia and Fabianski. For a time, Manonne was a breath of fresh air. However, since 2009, we have not heard much of him. He is most likely probably still our number 3 keeper, and it does not look like he has developed very much. Perhaps he will prove that he can fight for the number one shirt, but at the moment, I would argue that it is pretty much a two horse race between our Poles.
So who should it be?
Whilst Fabianski is a great shot stopper, my worry is that he is still weak when it comes to decision making. Only time will tell, but for now, I cant quite manage to bury the memories of his catastrophic game against Porto two seasons ago in the champions league.
I feel that Szczesny commands more respect and his sheer presence in goal inspires more confidence in our defence. Arsenal have been known to have a rather leaky defence in recent years, which has cost us dear. We never seem to have too many problems scoring goals. Our problems come when we cannot stop our opponents scoring. Furthermore, it has often been noted that Arsenal are a rather short team full of technically able, but rather weak players. At 1.95 metres, Szczesny’s aerial dominance is clearly evident. With Szczesny in goal, there seems to be less tension surrounding our defending from set plays. His ability to take the ball from the air with ease is something that Arsenal have been lacking.
Who do you think should be the new Arsneal number one?
Make sure you are following us on twitter for our latest updates
Fabianski w/o a doubt.
Vito any day
Szczesny should be arsenal #1, he has shown so much quality, so many great saves regardless of his age. He has proof to us that he can do it, he should be given the opportunity to do it.
szczesny for number 1
#1 szczesny
Szczesny is the best, he is like David De Gea’s twin keeper.
swacherezy should be the no 1 kepeer arsenal plz wenger nominate him as no 1 he deserv it and vito mannone the second keper plz do it dat way abeg
Please Asene Wenger put Szczeny for pole next season. Please
Szczesny hands down. The kid has done more than enough to prove himself performance wise and in addition he also has the presence like the author mentioned in the article. His confident and capable presence gives off confidence to other players as well. He just seems sure of himself.
Akinfeev, we have already missed out on given!
Am I the only one to see that szczesny is pretty much above average!
I would actually prefer Fabianski, some of the performances he put in before his injury really kept us in games. Szczesny has hasn’t made any massive errors since the league cup but I do sometimes think he is beaten by pretty tame shots, Wenger will stick with him though.
szczeczny fits
Szczecny to me is the best among three of them
Vito is far far better than the two Polish. He is intelligent, confidence, calculating, timing and mobile. Above all, he gets an intimidating physique. As a result, I go for Almighty VITO any day, any time without sentiment!!!
Szczesny
I think I agree with you to a very large extent, at least to the point where you said its a two horse race between the two Poles – Szczesny and Fabianski, rather I see a two horse race between Szczesny and Manonne if the later is given the chances, I recall two seasons ago what Manonne did in goal for us, he was super in most of the games he kept.
Having said that, I think Szczesny is still likely going to be the number one and like you rightly mentioned, his aerial ability will always be an advantage to any team and he is so full of confidence. So for me its simply 1). Szczesny 2). Manonne 3). Fabianski but I think the three of them should remain and carry on given what happened in the later part of last season when we became really short of goal-keepers.
sczesny#1 and Don Vito#2.
szczesny of course
Szczesny is the No 1
he is small, but geart
Szczesny is short check on his wiki page he is 6ft 6inches
Szczecczny no1
Szczesny. He has a commanding presence about him for someone so young. Plays with confidence!
Please Fabianski No 1
I think szczesny is the best he should be given the chance to continue
Szczecczny no1
Szczesny for the Premier League and Champions League while Fabianski for the FA and Carling. Vitto as areplacement for fabianski while fabianski as replacement for Szczesny
Anyday anytime i would choose vito he has done it for us in the past and with what he show in the last game i think he wil be a better option
Szczesny without a doubt but Vito deserves a crack at No. 1
1 Szczesny
2 Manone
3 Fabianski
szczesny any day any time
i will go for szczesny arsenl numer one
Most people are taking nonsense by choosing sz over fanbiaski.fan had shown us his best b4 he was injured.
Most people are taking nonsense by choosing sz over fanbiaski.fan had shown us his best b4 he was injured.4 me fan should be arsenal 1
Wojieck look better fit for now, so lets allow fabianski to recuperate fully…for now its Sczsezny
You said about 3 weak keepers – that is very funny.
No one of them can’t be the number 1. The best variant for us could be Given, but he in Villa now and it is very bad. Our manager have some budget for transfer and it is a big question: Why he don’t buy a high level keeper?
Can you answer it?
If you think that our current “great” keepers strong enough – it is a crap!
szczesny no 1
Szczesny 1# fabiasky 2# vito 3#
Szscesny has claimed the spot and there is not stopping him.
I think Arsenal MUST buy good keeper…Its bout time Arsenal to spend some money on quality keeper…Stekelenburg, Hart…cmon BUY
Szczesny should be no1 however its time for him to learn how to comand defenders where they look lost
a mistake will determine our no1.if Mannone should man the post by mistake,the two poles are gone.he’s better!
Mannone
Szczesny
Fabianski
wojo cant be 1.95m
He is, check his Wikipedia page