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What happens to Arsenal’s goalkeepers?

By Andrew Dowdeswell

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Arsenal have finally announced the signing of Petr Cech. Before I proceed to look at the goalkeeper position as a whole, I should mention that this is a fantastic signing for the Gunners. Wenger has made a real statement of intent that the title is his, and the club’s, priority in the coming season.

Cech has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for the last decade, and at only 33 (I say only since Edwin Van Der Sar was 35 when he signed for Manchester United), he still has many years at the top of his game.

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Previously, I explained why he would be an excellent signing, stating that Arsenal could not stake claim to a world class goalkeeper since the days of David Seaman, something that is a necessity in order to win the premier league. Well, now Arsenal have one, and I for one, am absolutely ecstatic. Well done Mr Wenger.

With the addition of Petr Cech, Arsenal now have the best group of goalkeepers in the premier league. When Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina are competing to simply be the back up, you know that you have excellent strength in depth between the sticks. Both are solid Premier League starters at worst and potentially world class goalkeepers at best; not many teams in England would turn down the chance to start either of the Arsenal back ups.

So, what should happen to the talented pair of shot stoppers?

Firstly, let’s consider the talented Pole. Szczesny has had an inconsistent few years at the Emirates. Joining Arsenal as a promising youngster from Legia Warsaw, Wenger initially stated that Szczesny would be the future No. 1 for the Gunners. Wenger was indeed right, but I’m sure when he made that statement, he referred to a more longer term time frame. With the addition of Petr Cech, who will most certainly be the first choice keeper for the foreseeable future barring injury, Szczesny will have to play second fiddle for some time.

“We have identified Wojciech as a future great, great goalkeeper… I really believe in him that he will one day be Arsenal’s number one. He has all the qualities you want from a goalkeeper.” – Arsene Wenger

However, the addition of Cech could be exactly what Szczesny needs to fulfill his almighty potential. Szczesny is still only 25. 25!!! For a keeper, that is extremely young. There is every possibility that Szczesny can be Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper, play in cup games and learn from one the greatest keepers the premier league has ever seen. The greatest advantage that Szczesny will have in staying is that while he is often (and rightly, may I add) criticized for his positioning, Cech’s game is built around his intelligence and his decision making.

In adding Cech, Wenger has acquired an experienced player whose talents are exactly what Szczesny’s weaknesses are. Szczesny should stay at Arsenal, both for his sake – he will become a much more complete keeper because of it – and Arsenal’s – he could well become one the greatest keepers in the world.

David Ospina, on the other hand, is a different case altogether. While Wenger remains adamant that Ospina is not Arsenal’s current first choice keeper (he obviously is, having played nearly every game in the second half of the season), Ospina looks like he may leave in the summer. For a while rumours have circulated as to the future whereabouts of Ospina, and if he is to leave, it would be harsh on the Colombian No. 1.

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Ospina recently showed that, if he is to indeed leave the Emirates, Arsenal will be letting a quality player go. (By the way, make sure you see that double save. It truly is remarkable). Letting Ospina go is, in all fairness, the right move. Ospina is a quality goalkeeper, especially as a shot stopper, but is not in the same class as Cech.

He also, while still only 26, does not seem to have the same untapped potential as Szczesny. Szczesny’s game has clear holes (he sometimes looses his mind) which are fixable, whereas Ospina’s game seems to have physical limitations, he’s only 6′ 1”, which in the very physical English game lacks the desired size of a keeper to dominate his area. These are issues that, unlike his Polish teammate, cannot be coached away.

It is unfair to let a recently signed, international player rot in the reserves simply because of recent additions. Wenger is known for being loyal and fair to his players, and in this case, however harsh it may be, it is only fair that Ospina is sold so that he can play consistent first team football. The key in this move for Arsenal is that he moves abroad, rather than, like Cech, move to a direct rival.

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