There was also the Ukranian bloke who was captain of Dynamo Kiev (can't remember his name), my Arsenal supporting mate used to despise him.
Arsenal - the fart that doesn't smell
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There was also the Ukranian bloke who was captain of Dynamo Kiev (can't remember his name), my Arsenal supporting mate used to despise him.
Are you guys talking about just centrebacks? He did buy a good fullback in Lauren, and if memory serves me right, Sylvinho was pretty decent too.
Luzhny, I think.
And on the goalkeeping front... an article from 2010:
http://www.sport.co.uk/features/a-complete-history-of-goalkeeping-at-arsene-wengers-arsenal/974
A complete history of goalkeeping at Arsene Wenger's Arsenal
Andrew Allen
19 April 2010 - 14:48
As Arsenal fans hold their heads in their hands after another season wrecked by goalkeeping howlers, debates have surged on messageboards and blogs as to whether Arsene Wenger has ever signed a half-decent stopper.
Renowned for turning the potential of unknown outfield players into world beaters, the French tactician’s magic touch appears to desert him whenever he snaps up a new keeper. Inheriting David Seaman from the George Graham era, it is only Jens Lehmann who can claim to have both won over Arsenal supporters and the respect of teammates. Just look at the current crop...
As likely to throw the ball in the back of their own net as they are to make a routine save, Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone have all demonstrated the type of inconsistency which has seen supporters calling for blood and left Arsenal without any silverware for the fifth consecutive season.
Although the current trio have borne the brunt of criticism at the Emirates they are far from being the only disappointing goalkeeper signings made by Arsene Wenger, sport.co.uk analyses the influence of every goalkeeper to have featured in the Arsenal first team squad since the accession of the Gallic coach to his north London throne.
David Seaman (Inherited)
The legendary England international wasn’t called ‘Safe Hands’ for nothing. A £1 million signing from QPR in 1990, Seaman stewarded his famous back four cohorts to the First Division Championship in his first season before further collecting FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup medals under George Graham. An experienced and established force at the time of Arsene Wenger’s arrival the veteran maintained his stellar form helping the Gunners and himself to two historic doubles and a swansong FA Cup medal.
Moved: Manchester City in 2003
Retired: 2004
John Lukic (Inherited)
In goal for that famous night at Anfield in 1989, Lukic returned to Arsenal under Bruce Rioch in 1996 after six years at Leeds. A steady, if unspectacular keeper, Lukic was initially back-up to Seaman but dropped down the pecking order after the arrival of Alex Manninger in 1997. Playing just shy of his 40th birthday against Lazio in the Champions League in 2000, the England B international temporarily held the accolade as the oldest player to ever play in the tournament.
Retired: 2001
Vince Bartram (Inherited)
Understudy to David Seaman, Bartram made 11 appearances for the Gunners between 1994-1998 having been signed from Bournemouth for £250,000. Never more than a back-up option, Arsene Wenger shipped the stopper out on loan to Huddersfield in 1997 before letting Bartram sign for Gillingham where he spent six years before retiring. He currently coaches at Portsmouth’s Youth Academy.
Moved: Gillingham in 1998
Retired: 2004
Alex Manninger (1997)
Signed from Grazer AK in 1997, Manninger went on to play an important role in Arsenal’s double winning season of 1997-98 following an injury sustained by David Seaman. Eight Premier League clean sheets in a row saw the Austrian rewarded with the March 1998 Player of the Month award although it is his penalty saving heroics in the FA Cup at West Ham United for which he is fondly remembered by Gunners fans. Four seasons at Highbury yielded 64 appearances, however, the arrival of Richard Wright signalled a loan spell at Fiorentina and the end of his time in north London. He subsequently moved to Spain with Espanyol before yo-yoing between Austria and Italy. Manninger is currently understudy to Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus.
Moved: Espanyol in 2003 / Currently at Juventus
Stuart Taylor (1997)
An Arsenal player between 1997 and 2005, Taylor was arguably the most prominent and patient of the several understudies that arrived during the Wenger era. Loaned to the likes of Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace ad Peterborough during the last seasons of Seaman he beat off competition from Alex Manninger and Richard Wright to notionally become the first choice back-up. Despite being tipped for big things by coach Bob Wilson, it was the arrival of Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia which forced Taylor to give up on his Arsenal dream. He subsequently moved to Aston Villa before surprisingly signing for Manchester City in 2009. Less than 60 Premier League appearances in a 13 year career says it all.
Moved: Aston Villa in 2005 / Currently at Manchester City
Graham Stack (2000)
Stack signed professional terms at Highbury in 2000 but with so much competition in the ranks was farmed out to Belgian side Beveren in 2002 as part of a special-relationship fostered by Arsene Wenger. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international returned to make his debut in 2003 featuring in a Carling Cup match against Rotherham; a match the Gunners won 9-8 on penalties with Stack himself smashing home a penalty! The stopper continued in goal for the rest of Arsenal’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament; a string of five games which represent the pinnacle of his career.
Moved: Reading in 2006 / Currently at Hibernian
Richard Wright (2001)
The first big-money goalkeeping signing made by Arsene Wenger...and the last. A £6 million signing from Ipswich Town Richard Wright signed a five year contract with Arsenal in 2001 joining the first team at the same time as Sol Campbell and Francis Jeffers; a trio of signings which represented an intriguing Anglification of the Gunners continental squad. Signed as a long-term successor to David Seaman, Wright struggled from the outset to deal with life at Highbury and found himself behind Stuart Taylor and confined to FA Cup matches by the end of his only season. Lowlights included punching the ball in his own net against Charlton Athletic and being substituted against Depotivo La Coruna in the Champions League. He made his final appearance for Arsenal on the final day of the 2001-02 season but was replaced by Taylor in the 85th minute; a situation which made both men eligible for Premier League medals. Wright moved to Everton later that summer but saw injuries take their toll at Goodison Park. He is currently contracted at former club Ipswich Town but suffered knee ligament damage in December and has been sidelined ever since.
Moved: Everton in 2002 / Currently at Ipswich Town
Fabian Carini (failed loan move 2002)
Arsenal looked to have signed the Uruguayan international on loan from Juventus just weeks after Richard Wright left the club. Despite playing in a pre-season friendly for the Gunners, the highly-rated stopper failed to secure a work permit and instead spent two years with Standard Liege in Belgium. He has since taken in stints with Inter Milan, Cagliari, Murcia and is now at Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, while 74 appearances for his homeland pay testament to his quality.
Moved: Standard Liege 2002 / Currently at Atletico Mineiro
Rami Shaaban (2002)
Swedish-Egyptian Rami Shaaban certainly cut an exotic figure at Arsenal, despite the obviously cosmopolitan nature of Arsene Wenger’s squad. Snapped up from Swedish side Djurgardens after the deal for Carini fell through, Shaaban was thrust into high-profile action against PSV Eindhoven and AS Roma in the Champions League but saw a bad leg break end his time at Highbury and threaten the end of his career. Loaned to West Ham in 2004, Shabaan moved to lowly Brighton in 2005 before returning to Sweden. Amazingly despite failing to hold down a place with the Seagulls, Shabaan’s form for Fredrikstad the following season saw him called up to Sweden’s 2006 World Cup squad where he played against Trinidad and Tobago.
Moved: Brighton in 2005 / Currently at Hammarby
Guillaume Warmuz (2003)
Guillaume who? Warmuz signed for Arsenal as third choice keeper on deadline day in January 2003 as a replacement for the injured Shabaan. Described by Arsene Wenger as ‘completely capable of playing at the top level,’ the former Lens captain never had the chance to prove his compatriot right failing to be called upon during his six months in London. He left the Gunners the following summer for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund before spending his last two years as a pro with AS Monaco.
Moved: Borussia Dortmund in 2003
Retired: 2007
Jens Lehmann (2003)
Deemed by Arsenal fans as Arsene Wenger’s sole goalkeeping success story, the charismatic German kept goal for the infamous ‘invincibles’ season of 2003-04 and was the undisputed number one at both Highbury and the Emirates until 2008. Signed for approximately £1.5 million from Borussia Dortmund the athletic Teuton earned himself something of a reputation for eccentricity with opposition strikers always keen to test his sense of humour, albeit at the risk of an ear-bashing. A stalwart behind Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure, Lehmann was a superb shot stopper, solid distributor and experienced operator who despite being labelled ‘mad’ was more often than not in control. The record-holder for consecutive Champions League clean sheets, the German international memorably saved a last-gasp penalty kick from Villarreal’s Juan Roman Riquelme in the semi-final before being red-carded in the final itself as the Premier League succumbed to Barcelona. He signed for Stuttgart in 2008 and recently confirmed his forthcoming retirement.
Moved: Stuttgart in 2008
Manuel Almunia (2004)
The current Arsenal number one, Almunia probably can’t believe how he has managed to secure such a high-profile position at one of Europe’s top clubs. Hauled from obscurity by Arsene Wenger after seven years plying his trade in and around Spain’s second tier, the Pamplona-born stopper bided his time for three seasons as number two before successfully forcing the exit of teammate Jens Lehmann in 2008. With dodgy bleached barnet, a tendency to flap at crosses and poor kicking it is only the Spaniard’s undoubted shot-stopping ability which appears to keep Wenger from axing his budget signing. A substitute in the 2006 Champions League final Almunia immediately made a splendid save from Samuel Eto’o but was eventually beaten twice at his near post as the Catalans struck back from 1-0 down. His duel with the Nou Camp oufit earned him plaudits in this year’s tournament but he was eventually forced to dig the ball out of the net six times as Lionel Messi and co ran riot over two legs.
Mart Poom (2006)
A well-known and respected Premier League goalkeeper following lengthy stints at Derby County and Sunderland, Poom was snapped up from the latter on loan in 2006 as cover for both Lehmann and Almunia. Despite not featuring for the first team during his loan spell, he was offered a permanent contract for the following season and eventually made his debut coming on as a sub in a League Cup victory over Everton. Poom is the only Estonian to receive a Champions League runners-up medal after being included in the Gunners 25 man squad to face Barcelona in May 2006. The veteran eventually moved to Watford where he spent one season before retiring and has since returned to Arsenal as a goalkeeping coach.
Moved: Watford in 2007
Retired: 2008
Vito Mannone (2006)
Signed as an 18-year-old from Italian side Atalanta, the imposing Mannone was initially loaned to Barnsley and had to wait until the last game of last season to make his debut for the Gunners. It is this season however, that the under-21 international has come to the fore; initially sparking excitement with a clean sheet against Wigan and man-of-the-match performance away at Fulham, the youngster’s inexperience eventually shone through with critics pointing to mistakes in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Birmingham City and 2-2 draw with West Ham United as proof that he is not yet ready to take over full-time from messrs Almunia and Fabianski.
Lukasz Fabianski (2007)
Signed for an undisclosed fee in 2007, Fabianski was already a title-winning, fully-fledged Polish international when he swapped Legia Warsaw for Arsenal. Hailed as a serious contender for the number one slot at the Emirates, the Pole made promising contributions in cup competitions last term before a nightmare FA Cup semi-final appearance against Chelsea saw him blamed for two sloppy goals and eventual defeat. Carrying a knee injury in the early stages of this season, the Pole at one point found himself behind Vito Mannone in the pecking order but has since regained his number two status despite horrific gaffs against Porto in the Champions League and Stoke City in the FA Cup. Once again at fault for Sunday’s defeat at Wigan, where his inability to hold a last minute corner saw Wigan equalise, Fabianski will have to show serious mental strength to recover the necessary confidence to bounce back again.
Wojciech Szczesny (2009)
Arsenal’s second Polish squad member, Szczesny has made only a solitary appearance for the Gunners keeping a clean sheet in this season’s Carling Cup 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Little known by the Emirates faithful it is the Pole’s form on loan at Brentford which has seen him earn rave reviews and seen the 19-year-old tipped to compete for first team minutes at the Emirates next season. The son of a former Polish international keeper, Szczesny made his debut for his homeland in a friendly against Canada late last year; an impressive feat given he broke both his arms in 2008 doing weight training at the Arsenal gym. Confident in his own ability and standing at an imposing 6ft 5 inches tall, the Legia Warsaw protégé was recently described by Wenger as a ‘future great, great goalkeeper.’
James Shea (2009)
A local lad living the Arsenal dream; Islington-born James Shea kept goal for Steve Bould’s double winning Academy side last season and was recently rewarded with a new contract that will see him continue his development under the eye of the Gunners coaching staff. A great shot-stopper, Shea sat on the bench in the Carling Cup against West Bromwich Albion and will no doubt be hoping to go one better next season.
http://www.sport.co.uk/features/a-complete-history-of-goalkeeping-at-arsene-wengers-arsenal/974
A complete history of goalkeeping at Arsene Wenger's Arsenal
Andrew Allen
19 April 2010 - 14:48
As Arsenal fans hold their heads in their hands after another season wrecked by goalkeeping howlers, debates have surged on messageboards and blogs as to whether Arsene Wenger has ever signed a half-decent stopper.
Renowned for turning the potential of unknown outfield players into world beaters, the French tactician’s magic touch appears to desert him whenever he snaps up a new keeper. Inheriting David Seaman from the George Graham era, it is only Jens Lehmann who can claim to have both won over Arsenal supporters and the respect of teammates. Just look at the current crop...
As likely to throw the ball in the back of their own net as they are to make a routine save, Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone have all demonstrated the type of inconsistency which has seen supporters calling for blood and left Arsenal without any silverware for the fifth consecutive season.
Although the current trio have borne the brunt of criticism at the Emirates they are far from being the only disappointing goalkeeper signings made by Arsene Wenger, sport.co.uk analyses the influence of every goalkeeper to have featured in the Arsenal first team squad since the accession of the Gallic coach to his north London throne.
David Seaman (Inherited)
The legendary England international wasn’t called ‘Safe Hands’ for nothing. A £1 million signing from QPR in 1990, Seaman stewarded his famous back four cohorts to the First Division Championship in his first season before further collecting FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup medals under George Graham. An experienced and established force at the time of Arsene Wenger’s arrival the veteran maintained his stellar form helping the Gunners and himself to two historic doubles and a swansong FA Cup medal.
Moved: Manchester City in 2003
Retired: 2004
John Lukic (Inherited)
In goal for that famous night at Anfield in 1989, Lukic returned to Arsenal under Bruce Rioch in 1996 after six years at Leeds. A steady, if unspectacular keeper, Lukic was initially back-up to Seaman but dropped down the pecking order after the arrival of Alex Manninger in 1997. Playing just shy of his 40th birthday against Lazio in the Champions League in 2000, the England B international temporarily held the accolade as the oldest player to ever play in the tournament.
Retired: 2001
Vince Bartram (Inherited)
Understudy to David Seaman, Bartram made 11 appearances for the Gunners between 1994-1998 having been signed from Bournemouth for £250,000. Never more than a back-up option, Arsene Wenger shipped the stopper out on loan to Huddersfield in 1997 before letting Bartram sign for Gillingham where he spent six years before retiring. He currently coaches at Portsmouth’s Youth Academy.
Moved: Gillingham in 1998
Retired: 2004
Alex Manninger (1997)
Signed from Grazer AK in 1997, Manninger went on to play an important role in Arsenal’s double winning season of 1997-98 following an injury sustained by David Seaman. Eight Premier League clean sheets in a row saw the Austrian rewarded with the March 1998 Player of the Month award although it is his penalty saving heroics in the FA Cup at West Ham United for which he is fondly remembered by Gunners fans. Four seasons at Highbury yielded 64 appearances, however, the arrival of Richard Wright signalled a loan spell at Fiorentina and the end of his time in north London. He subsequently moved to Spain with Espanyol before yo-yoing between Austria and Italy. Manninger is currently understudy to Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus.
Moved: Espanyol in 2003 / Currently at Juventus
Stuart Taylor (1997)
An Arsenal player between 1997 and 2005, Taylor was arguably the most prominent and patient of the several understudies that arrived during the Wenger era. Loaned to the likes of Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace ad Peterborough during the last seasons of Seaman he beat off competition from Alex Manninger and Richard Wright to notionally become the first choice back-up. Despite being tipped for big things by coach Bob Wilson, it was the arrival of Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia which forced Taylor to give up on his Arsenal dream. He subsequently moved to Aston Villa before surprisingly signing for Manchester City in 2009. Less than 60 Premier League appearances in a 13 year career says it all.
Moved: Aston Villa in 2005 / Currently at Manchester City
Graham Stack (2000)
Stack signed professional terms at Highbury in 2000 but with so much competition in the ranks was farmed out to Belgian side Beveren in 2002 as part of a special-relationship fostered by Arsene Wenger. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international returned to make his debut in 2003 featuring in a Carling Cup match against Rotherham; a match the Gunners won 9-8 on penalties with Stack himself smashing home a penalty! The stopper continued in goal for the rest of Arsenal’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament; a string of five games which represent the pinnacle of his career.
Moved: Reading in 2006 / Currently at Hibernian
Richard Wright (2001)
The first big-money goalkeeping signing made by Arsene Wenger...and the last. A £6 million signing from Ipswich Town Richard Wright signed a five year contract with Arsenal in 2001 joining the first team at the same time as Sol Campbell and Francis Jeffers; a trio of signings which represented an intriguing Anglification of the Gunners continental squad. Signed as a long-term successor to David Seaman, Wright struggled from the outset to deal with life at Highbury and found himself behind Stuart Taylor and confined to FA Cup matches by the end of his only season. Lowlights included punching the ball in his own net against Charlton Athletic and being substituted against Depotivo La Coruna in the Champions League. He made his final appearance for Arsenal on the final day of the 2001-02 season but was replaced by Taylor in the 85th minute; a situation which made both men eligible for Premier League medals. Wright moved to Everton later that summer but saw injuries take their toll at Goodison Park. He is currently contracted at former club Ipswich Town but suffered knee ligament damage in December and has been sidelined ever since.
Moved: Everton in 2002 / Currently at Ipswich Town
Fabian Carini (failed loan move 2002)
Arsenal looked to have signed the Uruguayan international on loan from Juventus just weeks after Richard Wright left the club. Despite playing in a pre-season friendly for the Gunners, the highly-rated stopper failed to secure a work permit and instead spent two years with Standard Liege in Belgium. He has since taken in stints with Inter Milan, Cagliari, Murcia and is now at Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, while 74 appearances for his homeland pay testament to his quality.
Moved: Standard Liege 2002 / Currently at Atletico Mineiro
Rami Shaaban (2002)
Swedish-Egyptian Rami Shaaban certainly cut an exotic figure at Arsenal, despite the obviously cosmopolitan nature of Arsene Wenger’s squad. Snapped up from Swedish side Djurgardens after the deal for Carini fell through, Shaaban was thrust into high-profile action against PSV Eindhoven and AS Roma in the Champions League but saw a bad leg break end his time at Highbury and threaten the end of his career. Loaned to West Ham in 2004, Shabaan moved to lowly Brighton in 2005 before returning to Sweden. Amazingly despite failing to hold down a place with the Seagulls, Shabaan’s form for Fredrikstad the following season saw him called up to Sweden’s 2006 World Cup squad where he played against Trinidad and Tobago.
Moved: Brighton in 2005 / Currently at Hammarby
Guillaume Warmuz (2003)
Guillaume who? Warmuz signed for Arsenal as third choice keeper on deadline day in January 2003 as a replacement for the injured Shabaan. Described by Arsene Wenger as ‘completely capable of playing at the top level,’ the former Lens captain never had the chance to prove his compatriot right failing to be called upon during his six months in London. He left the Gunners the following summer for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund before spending his last two years as a pro with AS Monaco.
Moved: Borussia Dortmund in 2003
Retired: 2007
Jens Lehmann (2003)
Deemed by Arsenal fans as Arsene Wenger’s sole goalkeeping success story, the charismatic German kept goal for the infamous ‘invincibles’ season of 2003-04 and was the undisputed number one at both Highbury and the Emirates until 2008. Signed for approximately £1.5 million from Borussia Dortmund the athletic Teuton earned himself something of a reputation for eccentricity with opposition strikers always keen to test his sense of humour, albeit at the risk of an ear-bashing. A stalwart behind Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure, Lehmann was a superb shot stopper, solid distributor and experienced operator who despite being labelled ‘mad’ was more often than not in control. The record-holder for consecutive Champions League clean sheets, the German international memorably saved a last-gasp penalty kick from Villarreal’s Juan Roman Riquelme in the semi-final before being red-carded in the final itself as the Premier League succumbed to Barcelona. He signed for Stuttgart in 2008 and recently confirmed his forthcoming retirement.
Moved: Stuttgart in 2008
Manuel Almunia (2004)
The current Arsenal number one, Almunia probably can’t believe how he has managed to secure such a high-profile position at one of Europe’s top clubs. Hauled from obscurity by Arsene Wenger after seven years plying his trade in and around Spain’s second tier, the Pamplona-born stopper bided his time for three seasons as number two before successfully forcing the exit of teammate Jens Lehmann in 2008. With dodgy bleached barnet, a tendency to flap at crosses and poor kicking it is only the Spaniard’s undoubted shot-stopping ability which appears to keep Wenger from axing his budget signing. A substitute in the 2006 Champions League final Almunia immediately made a splendid save from Samuel Eto’o but was eventually beaten twice at his near post as the Catalans struck back from 1-0 down. His duel with the Nou Camp oufit earned him plaudits in this year’s tournament but he was eventually forced to dig the ball out of the net six times as Lionel Messi and co ran riot over two legs.
Mart Poom (2006)
A well-known and respected Premier League goalkeeper following lengthy stints at Derby County and Sunderland, Poom was snapped up from the latter on loan in 2006 as cover for both Lehmann and Almunia. Despite not featuring for the first team during his loan spell, he was offered a permanent contract for the following season and eventually made his debut coming on as a sub in a League Cup victory over Everton. Poom is the only Estonian to receive a Champions League runners-up medal after being included in the Gunners 25 man squad to face Barcelona in May 2006. The veteran eventually moved to Watford where he spent one season before retiring and has since returned to Arsenal as a goalkeeping coach.
Moved: Watford in 2007
Retired: 2008
Vito Mannone (2006)
Signed as an 18-year-old from Italian side Atalanta, the imposing Mannone was initially loaned to Barnsley and had to wait until the last game of last season to make his debut for the Gunners. It is this season however, that the under-21 international has come to the fore; initially sparking excitement with a clean sheet against Wigan and man-of-the-match performance away at Fulham, the youngster’s inexperience eventually shone through with critics pointing to mistakes in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Birmingham City and 2-2 draw with West Ham United as proof that he is not yet ready to take over full-time from messrs Almunia and Fabianski.
Lukasz Fabianski (2007)
Signed for an undisclosed fee in 2007, Fabianski was already a title-winning, fully-fledged Polish international when he swapped Legia Warsaw for Arsenal. Hailed as a serious contender for the number one slot at the Emirates, the Pole made promising contributions in cup competitions last term before a nightmare FA Cup semi-final appearance against Chelsea saw him blamed for two sloppy goals and eventual defeat. Carrying a knee injury in the early stages of this season, the Pole at one point found himself behind Vito Mannone in the pecking order but has since regained his number two status despite horrific gaffs against Porto in the Champions League and Stoke City in the FA Cup. Once again at fault for Sunday’s defeat at Wigan, where his inability to hold a last minute corner saw Wigan equalise, Fabianski will have to show serious mental strength to recover the necessary confidence to bounce back again.
Wojciech Szczesny (2009)
Arsenal’s second Polish squad member, Szczesny has made only a solitary appearance for the Gunners keeping a clean sheet in this season’s Carling Cup 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Little known by the Emirates faithful it is the Pole’s form on loan at Brentford which has seen him earn rave reviews and seen the 19-year-old tipped to compete for first team minutes at the Emirates next season. The son of a former Polish international keeper, Szczesny made his debut for his homeland in a friendly against Canada late last year; an impressive feat given he broke both his arms in 2008 doing weight training at the Arsenal gym. Confident in his own ability and standing at an imposing 6ft 5 inches tall, the Legia Warsaw protégé was recently described by Wenger as a ‘future great, great goalkeeper.’
James Shea (2009)
A local lad living the Arsenal dream; Islington-born James Shea kept goal for Steve Bould’s double winning Academy side last season and was recently rewarded with a new contract that will see him continue his development under the eye of the Gunners coaching staff. A great shot-stopper, Shea sat on the bench in the Carling Cup against West Bromwich Albion and will no doubt be hoping to go one better next season.
His record on full backs is decent enough, Wenger just seems to have brain-farts about CB's (and goalies as you have highlighted).
There are rumours that he no longer goes to his place due to marital troubles and sleeps at his office in the Emirates.
Unfortunately so does Arsenal's defense.
Define worse?
We win trophies, they don't. Arguing over league positions is irrelevant, we exist to win trophies, and we're better at that than they are.
We win trophies, they don't. Arguing over league positions is irrelevant, we exist to win trophies, and we're better at that than they are.
We win trophies?! One League Cup...
We finished behind them these last 3 years and still far behind this season and they're having a disastrous season
We're won four cups since they last won one.
I don't really care where we finish in the league if we don't win it or come close. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, I'm not going to celebrate any of them. I do celebrate winning trophies though, something which Arsenal don't do very often.
I don't really care where we finish in the league if we don't win it or come close. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, I'm not going to celebrate any of them. I do celebrate winning trophies though, something which Arsenal don't do very often.
Champions League, Super Cup and Charity shield(ok, pushing it). Ok, technically they were only just after Arsenal won there's, but I would not be happy as an Arsenal fan trying to maintain the status quo, when that status quo does not involve winning anything.
They should have taken the risk a few years ago. Yes, of course it might back fire, but sometimes you need to take the risks.
My mate who supports Arsenal suggested:
Lauren, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Luzhny and Grimandi
Ashley Cole
Was he not a youth product /inherited?
He was, and also not a CB.
He still gave him the chance and I thought the discussion was about the whole defence not just CB's
Wasn't it more the failed drug test and subsequent ban from the game that made him lose his place
I remember he was strongly linked with Kompany before he moved to Hamburg. Someone like that could've saved Wenger from recruiting numerous duds in the long-term and perhaps helped them win a trophy or two, and if that happens, I doubt the star players they had would've been so easily lured away. But in saying that he would've ended up at Man City anyway.
Lauren was bought as an 8M midfielder and shoved to right back.
Gallas, I'll give you. Fair enough. But even he only came as part of the deal whereby Wenger lost Cole, his best defender.
Toure is balls. Just cos Citeh paid 15M for him doesn't make him any good. His positional sense is dreadful.
Clichy can't defend.
And I'll have some of what he's smoking if he rated those other two gimps.
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