The Best Ranking Gunner Goalies – Part 3
Article Continued from Part 2.
He always used to play an integral part for the team, as he gave the Gunners their first league title after twenty eight years in 1989.
The goalkeeper was the main reason behind an extremely organised defence, which meant the ball flowed into midfield more frequently, and gave the attacking players a greater freedom to play freely up front.
It was his goal kick, which was flicked on in midfield and led to the goal that gave Arsenal the title in dramatic fashion. He returned to Leeds United in 1990 and played with them for six years, only to return to Arsenal later.
He came back as a replacement for David Seaman, and then Alex Manninger. During his two spells he played for the Gunners for 12 years, made 293 appearances and still remains one of the most respected players for Arsenal.
Bob Wilson, 1963-74
Bob Wilson was a Scottish footballer who started playing for Arsenal at the age of 22. He started off late with football, as his father used to believe that it was not a proper job and just a waste of his time.
Still Wilson had the final word in this decision, and he took football up professionally as it was something he loved doing.
In 1963 Wilson joined the Gunners as an amateur player. He was initially signed by the North London team for a fee of only sixty five hundred pounds.
His made his debut shortly afterwards, when he played in the match against Nottingham Forest in mid-October, but was still not made a part of the first team at the time.
Jim Furnell occupied the goalkeeper position at the time, and Wilson had to wait for another four years before he could get the spot. When Furnell messed up a match, Bob Wilson was made the first team goalie and he made the position his own for the next
seven years.
Wilson completed his first season, but sadly broke his hand the next year. As soon as he recovered from his injury though, he came back better than ever. He was one of the key members of the team in their successful 1969-70 season, and led the team to the
Inter Cities Fairs Cup.
The following season, he won the FIFA Player of the year award, as the Gunners won the double.
When Bob Wilson retired from the team, he was made the goalkeeping coach and remained at the post for an astonishing 28 years. He trained the next generation of Gunners keepers like John Lukic, Pat Jennings and David Seaman.
Jens Lehmann, 2003-08
Jens Lehmann is a German International who was brought into the Gunners ranks by Arsene Wenger in 2003 to serve as a replacement for David Seaman.
He is a very skilled keeper between the posts, but has a dark side to him. He replaced Oliver Kahn in the German national team.
Lehmann was considered by most as a very non-serious player and an entertainer on the field, he always used to have a callous expression on his face which sometimes hid his real intentions.
Article Continued in Part 4.
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