Players that Arsenal should have signed
Goal Keepers
Arsenals' weakest link for the last couple of seasons has been their goal keepers. Arsenal have not managed to have one reliable keeper for what seems like forever now. Arsene Wenger already admitted to this problem. However, Wenger didn’t seem to sign a keeper this transfer window even though he had the chance.
Here is a look at some of the keepers that Arsenal could have and most probably should have signed.
Maarten Stekelenburg was one of the best keepers on display at this years’ World Cup. He provided a number of quality performances. Maarten is currently employed at Ajax but would be a very competent number one at Arsenal. He possesses quick hands, reflexes and very impressive decision making. He was tremendous all season long for his club team Ajax, who were willing to sell the player, however Wenger failed to make any real approaches for the keeper.
Despite the fact that Nigeria had a terrible run at this year’s World Cup, which saw their President announcing that the team was prohibited from participating in any footballing events for the next two years, their goal keeper Vincent Enyeama was one of the best keepers at the tournament. The 27-year-old was consistent for club and country this past season and there is no reason to doubt his abilities. Considering the keeper was relatively unknown, he would have barely cost Arsenal anything and was proven to possess all the abilities that were required of a keeper; however no real move materialized for the player.
The Uruguayans were easily the surprise packages at this year’s World Cup. Their goal keeper, Fernando Muslera was a vital part of that surprise package. He easily had one of the most fantastic tournaments where he even managed to save two penalties against Ghana. He is only a 24 years old but is fast and good in the air and Fernando would make a dramatic and immediate impact if snapped up by Arsenal. He is currently employed at Lazio who would have asked for a reasonable amount for the players transfer, considering Arsenal did possess the funds required to sign the player, they should have most probably gone in for the kill. However once again, they waited till it was too late.
Germany enjoyed one of the most solid runs at the World Cup where they ended up finishing at the third spot. Surprise first choice goal keeper Manuel Neuer proved to be one of the most outstanding players for the young German side. He made save after save and made the opposition forwards feel like it was impossible to score past him.
He was equally as good in the air as he was on the ground, displaying lighting quick reflexes and good safe hands. He is currently playing at Schalke 04 but has been linked with the Gunners numerous times in the past. He is only 24-years-old and easily has another 15 years on his playing career left. He could have proved to be a great investment for the teams’ future, only since Wenger decided not to make an approach for the player once again, the player didn’t switch teams to join Arsenal in the Premier League.
Mark Schwarzer and Shay Given were the two keepers who Arsene Wenger had actually shown some real interest in. Both the players were easily available to be transferred. Wenger even made an official bid for Schwarzer, however all his bids for the player were much lower than what the team expected, which is why the player stayed at Fulham and didn’t move to Arsenal.
Shay Given was a keeper, who was determined to move out of Eastlands after Joe Hart was made the new number one choice. The keeper would have been an easy target as long as he was looking to get some field time. However, once again, the manager decided to move in for a keeper, even though the team could have benefited from one.
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