Villarreal's Lopez is Wenger’s new target
Arsenal are currently the Barclays Premier League leaders with 32 points to their name in 16 Premier League matches. Arsenal has only lost 3 matches so far in this season but two of the three losses came against the newly promoted
sides of the Barclays Premier League. Arsenal lost to West Bromwich Albion by 3-2 and Newcastle United by 1-0, both at the Gunners’ home, Emirates Stadium. The two shocking defeats at the hands of comparably inexperienced teams highlighted Arsenal’s goalkeeping
problems.
Arsenal No.1 shirt holder, Manuel Almunia displayed a pathetic performance against West Bromwich Albion, in which he gave away two easy goals and cost Arsenal three very easy points. In the next defeat, it was Almunia deputy Lukasz
Fabianski who misjudged Joey Barton’s free kick and allowed Andy Carroll to put the ball in to give Arsenal their third defeat of the season.
It has been reported that Villarreal’s veteran goalkeeper, Lopez, was watched by Arsenal scouts during Villarreal’s Europa League clash against Dynamo Zagreb. It is also believed that the Gunners have monitored Lopez for the
past couple of months.
Arsene Wenger failed to buy any goalkeeper in the summer transfer window which has already cost Arsenal dearly. There were reports of Fulham’s veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Liverpool’s under-fire No.1 shirt holder, Pepe Reina, linked to Arsenal in the
summers. However, a deal could not happen and Arsenal was left with their unimpressive goalie Manuel Almunia.
Moreover, the Australian keeper of Fulham, Mark Schwarzer has penned a new deal with the Cottagers recently and it seems like Lopez is Arsene Wenger’s new target.
Diego Lopez is a former Real Madrid player and is currently the number one shot stopper of Villarreal. The 29-year-old has been a consistent performer for Villarreal and was the vital member of the Villarreal squad who made it
through to the Europa Cup. Now, he has helped his team to reach the Europa Cup knock out stage.
The Spanish goalkeeper of Villarreal is also rated as one of the best goalkeepers and was also linked with a move to Manchester United to replace their veteran goalkeeper Van der Sar. However, Manchester United have signed a new
Norwegian goalkeeper and now it seems like Arsenal are the favourites to land the experienced goalkeeper.
Arsenal have been synonymous with goalkeeper difficulties. The Gunners’ veteran goalkeeper Manuel Almunia’s place is under threat due to the impressive form of his deputy Lukasz Fabianski. However, Manuel Almunia is still injured
and has been out of action since September after sustaining injury in a defeat against West Bromwich Albion.
One of Arsenal’s four keepers, Vito Mannone is on loan to the Championship side Hull City and it has been reported that the young Italian goalkeeper of Arsenal wants to extend his stay with Hull City.
Moreover, Arsenal’s second choice keeper, Lukasz Fabianski has put in a number of outstanding performances in recent history despite the fact that his mistake against Newcastle United cost his team three points.
However, it seems like Arsene Wenger wants more experienced player guarding Arsenal’s goal and Villarreal’s goalkeeper Lopez is the perfect man for the job.
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