My verdict on Almunia

[Arsenal_pwns_all]

After watching that Chelsea game, I have come to the conclusion that Almunia is indeed a better shot-stopper than Lehmann. He made saves that night that Lehmann couldn't have made. However, all his other aspects of Goalkeeping is inferior to Lehmann; in particular his confidence and his ability to aggressively deal with crosses and set-pieces. If I wanted a good shot-stopper who sucks at everything else, I'll go with Taylor. And seeing that we suck at defending set pieces right now, I think there are no reasons why we shouldn't recall Lehmann. Heck, maybe his time on the benches will inspire him to answer to his critics.

[AmericanGunner]

What particular save(s) would that be? The one that Lampard hit was directly at him. Lehmann could have stopped that, any decent keeper could. Almunia was rarely troubled. He only had to make a few saves from open play. I still think the jury is still out on him.
I'm not saying he's worse than Lehmann but I don't think we've seen enough of him to make that choice.
I actually think that looping ball on the 2nd Chelsea goal was possibly avoidable. I may be harsh but it looked like the ball took a while in the air before going and it was savable. Maybe not but it seemed like it to me.
What is disconcerting is that we are arguably one of the 5 best clubs in all of Europe but have a keeper(s) that isn't even one of the 5 best in our own league.
A top class club needs a top class stopper. Its said that a keeper is good for 15 points a season. We need that 15 this season.

[arsenalgirl30016]

What I think is funny about this is that the Fox Sports World news guy ( I forget which one) commented that even if Lehman had been in the goal with Almunia they could not have stopped Terry's goal. Now that is comedy and a pretty accurate description of our set piece defending.......

Straight from Le Boss: "Apart from set pieces - where we were short and we were always in trouble...."
Which begs the question-why are we not improving?

[Trigger]

Please Arsene, no more second rate european players you think can be a star. Buy Green I'll wait for him to be good, if you've got to go foreign, Van der sar is ok. Just put an end to this debacle before it worsens.

Short doesn't cover it for me Le Boss. I saw 4 -5 Replays today with 6-2 Henry Cowering as he got in the way of the lost Campbell and John Terry's goal. 11 goals now from set pieces. Pires is over 6 foot too and Flamini about that. Bergo 6'2. We are just soft. When I played it was only you and the ball, not matter how many men between. Get there, or get the hand on the body. To see Henry shying away like that really annoyed me.

[Danks81]

To see Henry shying away like that really annoyed me.
He's such a hack. You guys should put him out on his ear.

[fedwood]

this is just my opinion...dont attack

people saying Lehmann sucks, Aluminium sucks blah blah

i think its the fact they dont get many shots against them
and when they do come on them they dont get a chance to stop it or they arent ready and thats what makes them targets to critics

but when someone like Green or Niemi let in like 4-5 goals and then save one spectacularly everyone is screaming why cant we get a keeper liek that

[Rick B]

this is just my opinion...dont attack

people saying Lehmann sucks, Aluminium sucks blah blah

i think its the fact they dont get many shots against them
and when they do come on them they dont get a chance to stop it or they arent ready and thats what makes them targets to critics

but when someone like Green or Niemi let in like 4-5 goals and then save one spectacularly everyone is screaming why cant we get a keeper liek that


Ah, the first sensible comment about our goalkeeping Ive seen in a long while!!

[Miles Brasher]

I watched one of the Sky footie analysis programes the other day, and the pundits were Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, and Pallister made the point (and Bruce agreed) that Schmeichel was very poor with crosses for the 1st few months of his career at OT as he'd just not been used to them at his previous club. Almunia seems to be a good shot-stopper, and against Chelsea there was 1 particular cross that he did come for extremely well, and held. His kicking was good and he came out his area quickly when needed. He may not be the best keeper around at the moment, but maybe he deserves a few more games to see if he's going to become one of the best. If a club buys a foreign outfield player, a lot of so called experts always mention that it'll take a couple of months worth of games for him to acclimatise, but the keeper is expected to be A1 from day 1.

[michaec]

but when someone like Green or Niemi let in like 4-5 goals and then save one spectacularly everyone is screaming why cant we get a keeper liek thatIf you're constantly getting shots at you then you're going to concede more. If you can still make those spectacular saves with a vastly reduced shot count I would think that we would have more clean sheets. Niemi for me is a top class keeper and I think the jury's still out on Green. Shay Given apparently wants away from the Toon it's been reported (The link is on Arseblog if you want to see), he'd be a good aquisition.

[Gunners11]

I watched one of the Sky footie analysis programes the other day, and the pundits were Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister, and Pallister made the point (and Bruce agreed) that Schmeichel was very poor with crosses for the 1st few months of his career at OT as he'd just not been used to them at his previous club. Almunia seems to be a good shot-stopper, and against Chelsea there was 1 particular cross that he did come for extremely well, and held. His kicking was good and he came out his area quickly when needed. He may not be the best keeper around at the moment, but maybe he deserves a few more games to see if he's going to become one of the best. If a club buys a foreign outfield player, a lot of so called experts always mention that it'll take a couple of months worth of games for him to acclimatise, but the keeper is expected to be A1 from day 1.

Miles, I agree with you. Last year AW said that it would take Reyes 6 months to adapt, but some people expect Almunia to come in and be adapted after just a few matches. I don't think we can give a verdict on Almunia yet. I do think he played better Sunday then in the previous matches, but he needs a few more run outs before we label him as the next Arsenal keeper, or a bust. On a sidenote, it would be awesome if we could sign Shay Given away from Newcastle, but that's another thread.

[fedwood]

If you're constantly getting shots at you then you're going to concede more. If you can still make those spectacular saves with a vastly reduced shot count I would think that we would have more clean sheets. Niemi for me is a top class keeper and I think the jury's still out on Green. Shay Given apparently wants away from the Toon it's been reported (The link is on Arseblog if you want to see), he'd be a good aquisition.


im sure any keeper would make a decent save when he has over 10 attempts in a game

[el_Diablo]

im sure any keeper would make a decent save when he has over 10 attempts in a game

I don't think I've seen niemi let in 9 goals in any game?

[fedwood]

I don't think I've seen niemi let in 9 goals in any game?


neither have i
but i certainly have seen 9 shots on him
which is what was talking about

[michaec]

im sure any keeper would make a decent save when he has over 10 attempts in a gameWhen have either of our keepers made those saves? I admit Almunia hasn't had many games, but he doesn't look the part so far. Nieimi is a proven Premiership performer.

[fedwood]

When have either of our keepers made those saves? I admit Almunia hasn't had many games, but he doesn't look the part so far. Nieimi is a proven Premiership performer.

what im saying is that if either of our keepers were constantly barraged(sp?) with shots all game long they would also come up with a few remarkable saves
be thankful they are making 1 mistake and letting 1 goal in rather than having 5 goals in and 3 remarkable saves

[Indiana Jones]

Kasey Keller is sitting on the bench, in London, and is better than any keeper Arsenal have had in 5 years. Pick up the friggen phone Arsene....

[mad theory]

Casey Keller is sitting on the bench, in London, and is better than any keeper Arsenal have had in 5 years. Pick up the friggen phone Arsene....

Keller? HA! He's one of the worst keepers in England.

And he's not better than any keeper we've had for the past 5 years.

[Indiana Jones]

Keller? HA! He's one of the worst keepers in England.

And he's not better than any keeper we've had for the past 5 years.


Your name is very appropriate. No further comment necessary.

[fedwood]

Kasey Keller is sitting on the bench, in London, and is better than any keeper Arsenal have had in 5 years. Pick up the friggen phone Arsene....

You are clearly American
no further comment necessary

[mad theory]

Your name is very appropriate. No further comment necessary.

It's neither an opinion/theory, It's a FACT!