Goalkeepers in this World Cup know that Arsene Wenger is in South Africa and they know Arsenal need a new keeper. Desperate for a big move to the Premier League they’re competing with each other to catch his eye.
Some of them have gone the traditional route of playing really well and making excellent saves, such as Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama. Arsene can’t have failed to be impressed by his athleticism and fingertip interventions. Other keepers are more canny though. They’ve done their research, looked at what the Arsenal manager appears to value in a keeper and played accordingly. Rob Green stormed into an early lead with his display against the USA.
Yesterday we were all waiting to watch Aussie Mark Scwharzer who has been linked strongly with us. Yet before he could make any kind of impact Algerian Faouzi Chaouchi took advantage with an incredible reflex error so highly prized by Arsene and his goalkeeping staff. Robert Koren’s shot looked run of the mill but Chaouchi instantly made himself the favourite for the number 1 shirt next season. It takes a special kind of talent to let a goal like that in.
Schwarzer, knowing the pressure was on, conceded four as Germany went to town on Australia, but really only one of them was his fault. He came for a cross in true Fabianski style, allowing Klose to head home Germany’s second. I thought he might have done a bit better for the first too but Podolski’s shot was exceptionally strong. It was nice of Australia to allow Schwarzer to audition for Arsenal by ensuring he had no defence to speak of either, nice touch, Aussies.
So the current crop of keepers should be cacking themselves as they watch the World Cup, not Manuel Almunia though. He says:
I am not worried about the situation. I have seen what the papers are saying but I do not think it affects me. I have a deal signed with Arsenal and nobody at the club has given me a reason to question my future.
Anyway, those mistakes are bog-standard. I can do much worse than that and I know Lukasz can too. Now, where’s my house boy with another pineapple cosmo?
There are still 15 keepers who the boss hasn’t yet seen, this search for a new number 1 is not going to be easy.
Meanwhile, we’ve heard from AW for the first time about the Cesc Fabregas situation. Arsene wasn’t in much of a mood to discuss things at length, saying:
I don’t need to talk about Cesc. He has a deal with Arsenal and we don’t want to sell him. I’ve spoken with Fabregas many times – as with all the players in the World Cup – but never about his future.
Seems a little unlikely to me that the subject of his future hasn’t cropped up at least one but it’s good to see we’re maintaining our public stance that he is not for sale. Last night Sandro Rosell was elected new president of Barcelona, which is interesting in a couple of ways. He was the only candidate urging financial caution, referring to Barça’s mountainous debt and he’s well aware it would take a huge amount of money for Arsenal to consider selling. Also, Rosell is the anti-Laporta, the two former friends are now best of enemies, and that could have an impact on the move for Cesc.
However, Laporta remains in charge until June 30th so we’re going to have to continue to listen to his shite, and as his reign is coming to an end I suspect his behaviour will get worse. He’s got nothing to lose and he’ll seek to increase the pressure on Arsenal in any way he can. Batten down the hatches, folks.
Arsenal interest at the World Cup today revolves around Robin van Persie who’ll be in action for the Dutch in the early game against Denmark (live blog here for those of you stuck in a tellyless environment). There’s no Nicklas Bendtner for Denmark, which is a bit of a shame, but it could be a pretty tasty game nonetheless.
Alex Song should play some part this afternoon for Cameroon but stories yesterday said he’d be on the bench as the Africans face Japan. And did anyone see the picture of Rigobert Song in the paper yesterday? And then it said he was 33. Erm … he looks like Billy Ocean. Scary.
Anyway, there’s at least some Arsenal connection before the Italians bore the tits off us in tonight’s game. So far the standard of football has been disappointing, I have to say. Only South Korea and Germany last night have stood out. Where’s the Belgium v Russia (Mexico 86) of this tournament? Hopefully it’ll happen today. I think we’ve all suffered enough already.
Right so, easing ourselves back into the week. Have a good Monday, more tomorrow.
