Almunia vs Mad Jens

[gooner4eva]

with recent performances, including todays, im just wondering if keeping Lehmann as first choice may be best for the team, his expierience helped us alot 2 years ago, he hasn't showed any signs of ageing, and i just feel in big games we get big performances from Jens.

[antifan]

with recent performances, including todays, im just wondering if keeping Lehmann as first choice may be best for the team, his expierience helped us alot 2 years ago, he hasn't showed any signs of ageing, and i just feel in big games we get big performances from Jens.
It's a tough call to make, i've never been a big Almunia fan, and i've always been a Lehmann fan. Right now there isn't really much to choose between them. Against ManU i thought that maybe Lehmann wasn't quite as sharp as he was two years ago, but he's still strong. I prefer Lehmann, but i can't honestly say that his performance is any better than Almunia.

[Rewinder]

Personally I think Jens should keep playing, and force Almunia to win the spot back.

My only qualms are that if jens is going to lose the spot with another epic screw up, now is not the time. It's either going to cost us the league or the cl - there is no room to screw around like that anymore.

[antifan]

Personally I think Jens should keep playing, and force Almunia to win the spot back.

My only qualms are that if jens is going to lose the spot with another epic screw up, now is not the time. It's either going to cost us the league or the cl - there is no room to screw around like that anymore.
How does Almunia win back the spot without Jens screwing up? It just seems like an impossible thing for a keeper to do.

[Silva 5]

I would think Almunia would get the nod over Lehmann once he's fit, because he was only sidelined due to sickness/injury rather than a lack of form, like Lehmann was...

actually, come to think of it, Lehmann was never technically dropped because of bad form was he? He picked up an injury wile on international duty I believe...

forget it, I don't know. good question though.

[Lamil]

Ol Jens is a good keeper still. I can't say that he was really tested tonight so I won't base it off of tonights performance. I will give him rep on that long toss he had to Ade when he saw that Maldini hadn't made it back yet... thats experience coming through. Almunia hasn't really done anything for me to doubt him yet while Lehmann has in the past. Everyone was talking about how Almunia was gonna blow a big game but he has come through everytime. Im happy to have 2 keepers that could be starting and think that at this point maybe keep Lehmann in for a couple more matches and lets see how he does. I do think that Lehmann hasn't been playing as well for the National team.

[+Gooner+]

I think the important thing about his performance yesterday was that he made two vital saves at the beginning and the end that kept us in the game. One of these headers in and we would be out most likely. Usually the goalkeepers don't get tested that much in the CL but it is important that they are 100% focused all the time and are there when needed which can decide about proceeding or getting knocked out.

Of course we can say Almunia has not cost us a big game this season. But he nearly cost us two (Mancs with that error and Spurs with that freekick) and only didn't cost because we did score enough. Right now with us looking a bit short regarding our scoring record it might have both been defeats.

I think it is a difficult decision for Wenger because he wants to win the CL or at least go far and he needs the right keeper for it.
As for Lehmann and the national team. He had a bad game against Austria but the whole team played like utter shite. It was his first bad game in about three years or so? He has been great for us throughout the Euro qualifiers and keeps a clean sheet since 530 minutes. He has been quite excellent for us actually. There is only a discussion going on because people think he does not get enough match practice. In Germany we love our dear goalie dispute prior to big tournaments. It's a tradition. :D

I forget to mention that one thing in particular I think is important: Lehmann came in now in a phase that is maybe the most tense and difficult of our season so far and did well. I don't want to play down Almunia's performances but he had the privilege to come in when the team was on fire and played some fantastic football with the defense simply being in fantastic form.

[djdustn]

Something else to consider is who is the keeper for next year (or beyond).

If Lehmann is gone at the end of the season, then why piss off Almunia by dropping him to the bench? I don't really see Lehmann back next year. And I'm not really how long Almunia has on his contract. But if Almunia gets pissed off and decides he wants to leave (or his contract is up and he decides not to come back), then we could be left with just Fabianski.

Unless we are willing to go out and spend to get a number 1, I think Almunia comes back into the squad. I thought Jens was quite good last night (saving from those two corners), but in his recent run of games he hasn't really been tested (aside from ManU, where I thought he could have done a bit better). To be honest, it's a toss up for me as to who is in better current form.

[+Gooner+]

I get you point. But I think someone who wants to become a top keeper needs to be strong enough to cope with situations like that. Look at what Lehmann has had to cope with in his career and still he never lost faith. If Almunia would get pissed off and leave even though he has the chance to become Arsenal's long term first choice (if that is in Wenger's plans. Maybe he would indeed buy a ready-made first choice next season) he must be crazy. And Arsenal have enough money to spend something on such a vital position.

And it is not like Almunia got tested that much while Lehmann was injured. He even had a couple of weak games. Like I said, I think you also have to take a look at the situation the team was in when Almunia got his chance and now that Lehmann got his chance.

But sure, this is a question of who's the best goalkeeper for us for the rest of the season and the CL and what Wenger has planned for next season.

[djdustn]

If Almunia would get pissed off and leave even though he has the chance to become Arsenal's long term first choice (if that is in Wenger's plans. Maybe he would indeed buy a ready-made first choice next season) he must be crazy.

Agreed. I don't know where Almunia would go (if he wanted to play at a big club), but if he wanted to play first team football, I think he could find a new home rather easily.

Another question, since Almunia is now over 30, is he getting these 1 year deals like everyone else over 30??? I was trying to find out his contract status, but all I see is "long term deal" when he was signed in 2004. But does that mean, three years, until you turn 30. And why does Arsene stick to this over 30 policy for keepers (at least Lehmann)?

[mpeabody]

How does Almunia win back the spot without Jens screwing up? It just seems like an impossible thing for a keeper to do.

I agree. I think the job is Lehmann's until he does something to bring Almunia back.

Also, if Almunia wants to move on we won't have a problem finding a keeper equal in quality. He'd be foolish to leave Arsenal.

[michaec]

I think Almunia should come back as soon as he's fit. I don't want to wait for another Lehmann balls-up to swap them over again because that could cost us valuable points at the business end of the season. Almunia hasn't done anything wrong since he's been first choice and for me it comes down to how calm he is in comparison to Lehmann. It is noticeable that the defenders in front of him are happier with Almunia behind them rather than worrying about what Lehmann is going to do next.

The long-term keeper situation is anothe rquestion entirely, but if Lehmann does move on as expected this Summer then it will be interesting to see if Wenger goes into the market or if he's happy to have Fabianski understudying Almunia as the first and second choices next season.

[+Gooner+]

I didn't see Lehmann doing anything erratic since he came in and I prefer getting a heart attack when he comes out for crosses once on a while over us conceding from corners and free kicks because Almunia does not come out for crosses and has problems commanding the defense.

And I prefer Lehmann in the CL. It would be a pity to drop him again now that he looks back in form again.

And I hope it does not sound too harsh but I am not too unhappy about Kolo being out for a while. His understanding with Gallas is bad and he has never communicated well with any goalkeeper, neither Jens nor Manuel. Senderos has done verywell lately, he can defend from corners and he respects the goalies. I would love to see him getting a longer run in the team. Everyone should work to get his place back after injury of the one who came in did well. That should count for Kolo but also for Almunia, just like it did for Gilberto vs Flamster and for Lehmann when he lost his place.

[michaec]

I didn't see Lehmann doing anything erratic since he came in and I prefer getting a heart attack when he comes out for crosses once on a while over us conceding from corners and free kicks because Almunia does not come out for crosses and has problems commanding the defense.

And I prefer Lehmann in the CL. It would be a pity to drop him again now that he looks back in form again.
I don't know what games you're watching, but I see Almunia come for plenty of crosses when he plays. I honestly don't see too much difference between the two in terms of ability, but Almunia is mentally superior by far which transmits itself to the players in front of him.

[+Gooner+]

I don't know what games you're watching, but I see Almunia come for plenty of crosses when he plays. I honestly don't see too much difference between the two in terms of ability, but Almunia is mentally superior by far which transmits itself to the players in front of him.

Unfortunately he has not come out for plenty of crosses that led to goals. And calling Almunia mentally superior is a bit comical. He managed to win us one game so far, the one against Chelsea. Against ManU and Spurs in the league his nerves got the better of him again, also in other situations. Just because he does look like he doesn't care when he concedes a goal and does not show any temper that does not make him mentally strong. And remember he needed Wenger, Arsenal in general and the press to promote and back him up like hell to finally look confident. When he does not have back up like that... remeber the episode when he was no 1 for some weeks and burst out in tears after a game after he had made some mistakes? I am not confinced if this man's mental strength at all, especially not when he has the wind blowing into his face properly.
Lehmann is the one who has shown enormous mental strength under pressure and in high profile games. Even trying to compare Almunia to him after half a season is kind of off.

[Skizz]

And why does Arsene stick to this over 30 policy for keepers (at least Lehmann)?
Because keepers can go downhill a lot quicker than outfield players my friend.

EDIT: Well players can go downhill quickly wherever they can play, but none get punished for their mistakes more than goalkeepers.

[djdustn]

Because keepers can go downhill a lot quicker than outfield players my friend.

EDIT: Well players can go downhill quickly wherever they can play, but none get punished for their mistakes more than goalkeepers.

I don't disagree, but keepers seem to have a longer playing career after 30 than outfield players.

[mpeabody]

I don't disagree, but keepers seem to have a longer playing career after 30 than outfield players.

They can have a longer life-span, but the rate at which they deteriorate is much faster than a position player. We can see a striker losing pace, but you can't see a keeper losing his nerve.

[michaec]

Unfortunately he has not come out for plenty of crosses that led to goals. And calling Almunia mentally superior is a bit comical. He managed to win us one game so far, the one against Chelsea. Against ManU and Spurs in the league his nerves got the better of him again, also in other situations. Just because he does look like he doesn't care when he concedes a goal and does not show any temper that does not make him mentally strong. And remember he needed Wenger, Arsenal in general and the press to promote and back him up like hell to finally look confident. When he does not have back up like that... remeber the episode when he was no 1 for some weeks and burst out in tears after a game after he had made some mistakes? I am not confinced if this man's mental strength at all, especially not when he has the wind blowing into his face properly.
Lehmann is the one who has shown enormous mental strength under pressure and in high profile games. Even trying to compare Almunia to him after half a season is kind of off.
Lehmann is a cry-baby, anyone goes near him at a corner and it sets him off. He doesn't communicate with his defenders very well either, there are too many incidents where he could and/or should have come, but he doesn't which leads to reciminations back there. That's what I mean about being mentally not there, he is too indecisive for a top keeper. Almunia makes his decisions and goes for it, all keepers will make mistakes, but when he does come it seems that the defenders know it. The communication between keeper and back-four is absolutely crucial and Almunia does that better for me. He looks calmer, I feel calmer when he's between the sticks.

[djdustn]

Unfortunately he has not come out for plenty of crosses that led to goals.

Against ManU and Spurs in the league his nerves got the better of him again, also in other situations.

I agree with +Gooner+ about the crosses. Almunia seems a bit timid when he does come out. Lehmann will go out more often and is much more decisive.

Another thing, Lehmann seems much better at reading the offensive break. He did it a couple times last season that led to goals, and that long throw to Adebayor last night was something special. I don't remember seeing Almunia create those types of situations.