Arsenal Vs Atletico Madrid: Pay Jan Oblak whatever is necessary

There is a whole raft of positions that Arsenal need to upgrade in the summer. One of those is goalkeeper and the perfect solution is Jan Oblak. After his performance for Atletico Madrid on Thursday night, pay him whatever is necessary.

There is much work for Arsenal to do this summer. Even if Arsene Wenger were staying, that much would still be true. There are a great many holes in this squad that are in desperate need of investment. Whether they will get such investment is another question. But the need is certainly undeniable.

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One position that is becoming of increasing importance with every mistake that is made is the goalkeeper. Petr Cech’s form has deteriorated quite drastically, David Ospina has never instilled confidence as a true number one, while the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Matt Macey are nothing more than prospective talents.

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And one name that has surfaced more and more recently is Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, a player who we all got to watch first-hand against Arsenal in the Europa League this week. Well, while there has been little more than just ambitious, likely unfounded rumours arise at this point, Oblak did not exactly deny that he would be leaving this summer when asked about his interview this week:

"“For the moment I’m here, I have a contract until 2021. If I continue, we will grow together and if not, the club will grow too. There is no news, I have the contract that I signed two years ago. No-one knows what will happen, not even me. I prefer to finish the season well and I hope that [it will end] with a trophy. Then we will see, but I have a contract. I do not think of anything other than Atletico.”"

That does not mean by any stretch that this is now definitely going to happen. But from a purely hypothetical stance, this is a move that I believe Arsenal should be exploring extensively. The only drawback that I can find is the price. And what I say to that is simple: Oblak is worth whatever he is worth.

If you have to pay £50 million for a goalkeeper, then you pay £50 million for this goalkeeper. If you have to pay £60 even £70 million with £200,000-a-week wages, then you pay it. Because not only is Oblak one of the very best goalkeepers in the world right now, but he is only 25 years of age and could be at the top of his game for the next decade. That is the type of high-end investment that is worth making.

And for those doubting his quality need only watch Thursday night’s first leg at the Emirates. Oblak made a string of wonderful saves, including a one-handed palm to turn an Alexandre Lacazette over away, that have rarely been seen in north London this season. His command of his area, despite his team’s lack of possession, was textbook, he was big and strong in the air, his positioning was exemplary, and he was always communicating with his defence. And all this at 25.

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Some may protest that spending so heavily on a goalkeeper is a little wasteful given the other needs that need to be addressed in the window. They may have a point. But Oblak might be a special case because he is a special player. Pay him and Atletico whatever is necessary.