Big Boat

The new Arsenal number 1

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?

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43 Comments

  • bigshot
    July 25, 2011 - 19:16 | Permalink

    Fabianski w/o a doubt.

  • neil
    July 25, 2011 - 19:36 | Permalink

    Vito any day

  • July 25, 2011 - 19:38 | Permalink

    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.

  • odili8
    July 25, 2011 - 19:39 | Permalink

    szczesny for number 1

  • July 25, 2011 - 19:42 | Permalink

    #1 szczesny

  • Charles
    July 25, 2011 - 19:57 | Permalink

    Szczesny is the best, he is like David De Gea’s twin keeper.

  • byron
    July 25, 2011 - 19:59 | Permalink

    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

  • Honilno
    July 25, 2011 - 20:39 | Permalink

    Please Asene Wenger put Szczeny for pole next season. Please

  • CAM
    July 25, 2011 - 21:02 | Permalink

    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.

  • Come on!!!
    July 25, 2011 - 21:04 | Permalink

    Akinfeev, we have already missed out on given!

    Am I the only one to see that szczesny is pretty much above average!

  • KaiI
    July 25, 2011 - 21:14 | Permalink

    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.

  • July 25, 2011 - 21:27 | Permalink

    szczeczny fits

  • stanley ibeh
    July 25, 2011 - 21:42 | Permalink

    Szczecny to me is the best among three of them

  • Akhine
    July 25, 2011 - 21:46 | Permalink

    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!!!

  • zane
    July 25, 2011 - 21:52 | Permalink

    Szczesny

  • ben2
    July 25, 2011 - 22:01 | Permalink

    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.

  • Diallo
    July 25, 2011 - 22:16 | Permalink

    sczesny#1 and Don Vito#2.

  • atere
    July 25, 2011 - 22:20 | Permalink

    szczesny of course

  • July 25, 2011 - 22:26 | Permalink

    Szczesny is the No 1
    he is small, but geart

  • July 25, 2011 - 22:35 | Permalink

    Szczecczny no1

  • Shay
    July 25, 2011 - 23:02 | Permalink

    Szczesny. He has a commanding presence about him for someone so young. Plays with confidence!

  • oluwachibonda
    July 25, 2011 - 23:25 | Permalink

    Please Fabianski No 1

  • July 25, 2011 - 23:40 | Permalink

    I think szczesny is the best he should be given the chance to continue

  • July 26, 2011 - 00:16 | Permalink

    Szczecczny no1

  • schoolboy
    July 26, 2011 - 00:36 | Permalink

    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

  • July 26, 2011 - 01:48 | Permalink

    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

  • M
    July 26, 2011 - 03:38 | Permalink

    Szczesny without a doubt but Vito deserves a crack at No. 1

  • yogaman
    July 26, 2011 - 04:37 | Permalink

    1 Szczesny
    2 Manone
    3 Fabianski

  • rudboy
    July 26, 2011 - 05:49 | Permalink

    szczesny any day any time

  • micheal
    July 26, 2011 - 05:51 | Permalink

    i will go for szczesny arsenl numer one

  • July 26, 2011 - 07:07 | Permalink

    Most people are taking nonsense by choosing sz over fanbiaski.fan had shown us his best b4 he was injured.

  • July 26, 2011 - 07:09 | Permalink

    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

  • Bassey de calabar
    July 26, 2011 - 07:24 | Permalink

    Wojieck look better fit for now, so lets allow fabianski to recuperate fully…for now its Sczsezny

  • Leo
    July 26, 2011 - 07:35 | Permalink

    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!

  • Mukasa Ben K
    July 26, 2011 - 08:01 | Permalink

    szczesny no 1

  • Tajudeen
    July 26, 2011 - 08:30 | Permalink

    Szczesny 1# fabiasky 2# vito 3#

  • Mohamed Zubairu
    July 26, 2011 - 11:03 | Permalink

    Szscesny has claimed the spot and there is not stopping him.

  • CHEKNAT
    July 26, 2011 - 12:44 | Permalink

    I think Arsenal MUST buy good keeper…Its bout time Arsenal to spend some money on quality keeper…Stekelenburg, Hart…cmon BUY :)

  • okethi
    July 26, 2011 - 14:11 | Permalink

    Szczesny should be no1 however its time for him to learn how to comand defenders where they look lost

  • tuneric
    July 26, 2011 - 15:01 | Permalink

    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

  • nathande
    July 26, 2011 - 16:19 | Permalink

    wojo cant be 1.95m

    • dannywirth
      July 26, 2011 - 23:29 | Permalink

      He is, check his Wikipedia page

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