The Great Goalkeeper Debate

Will Szczesny be Arsenal number 1 next year?

It has been a problem for the Arsenal since Jens Lehmann left the club in 2008. Since then we have struggled to find a new permanent number 1. While I have no doubt that Wojciech Szczesny will eventually become Arsenal's number 1 and a club legend, I believe that right now we require someone else to man the posts. Szczesny needs someone to challenge and mentor him because right now he is under no real threat for his place. Indeed we saw that after he lost his place to Fabianski towards the end of the season, he came back fighting and produced his best performances. If he had this level of competition consistently then I don't doubt we would see his best performances.

In this post I shall look at the options open to Wenger and decided who he should go for this summer.


Name - Asmir Begovic
Club - Stoke City
Fee - £12 to 15 million

Begovic has quickly become one of the best goalkeepers in the league after producing some stunning performances for Stoke. His powerful frame means he has supreme command of his area and he is ability to pluck crosses out of the air is superb. The Bosnian is also a brilliant shot-stopper and more often than not it is his efforts which led to another clean sheet for Pulis' men. Wenger is a known admirer of Begovic and at just 25 he would provide long term competition for Szczesny. Oddly though I feel Begovic's age may put Wenger off. If Arsene does see Wojciech as our future number 1, then signing someone of 25 seems an illogical choice. I get the feeling that Wenger would prefer someone around the age of 30, someone who could provide competition for Szczesny but also be a mentor. Having said that there is no denying Begovic's talent and Wenger may feel that he cannot afford to miss out on such a talented 'keeper.


Name - Simon Mignolet
Club - Sunderland
Fee - £10 million

Since joining the Black Cats in 2010 Simon Mignolet has been nothing short of a revelation. At a fee of just £2 million he is also one of the best bargains in recent years. Indeed Sunderland were not the only suitors interested in the Belgian shot-stopper, Udinese, PSV and FC Twente were all also said to be keen on acquiring his services. Sunderland however pipped the lot of them and in doing so they secured a very talented goalkeeper. With just two years remaining on his contract it now appears that Mignolet is looking to step up to the next level. Like Begovic he is just 25 and would provide serious competition for the number shirt 1. Of all our targets Mignolet has been the one who's name has never disappeared from the papers, suggesting that he maybe at the top of Wenger's shopping list.


Name - Rene Adler
Club - Hamburg
Fee - £6 to 8 million

The German is another goalkeeper with an outstanding pedigree. 5 years ago he was named German goalkeeper of the year and he would have been Germany's first choice 'keeper for the 2010 World Cup, but unfortunately a hip injury denied him of that opportunity.The Hamburg number 1 has been sending mixed messages about whether he would be open to a move to Arsenal or not. Originally he came out saying, "For any player it is an honour to be linked with Arsenal. It is something that inspires me even more, and it is not distracting me." The introduction of Adler would provide some serious competition for the number 1 spot. Also at 28 Adler would bring some much needed experience to the role, something Szczesny is currently lacking in my opinion. In terms of a fee, Adler would be a much cheaper option to alternatives available in the Premier League As Hamburg signed him on a free it is speculated Hamburg would let Adler go for around £8 million, about half the price of someone like Asmir Begovic.


Name - Julio Cesar
Club - QPR
Fee - £2 to 4 million

Eyebrows were certainly raised when Julio Cesar signed for QPR last summer. Just three years ago Cesar was a key part of an Inter Milan side which won the Champions League, now he plays for a Championship side. This is by no means to say that Cesar is not a top quality goalkeeper any more, far from it. In a season of turmoil for the London club Cesar was a beacon of a hope, a bright spark in a otherwise damp and dull campaign. At 33 years old he is the most senior of Wenger's summer targets, but I think this is something Arsene may see as a positive. Cesar only has 3 or 4 more seasons in him and during this time he would bring stability to the goalkeeping position, whilst also tutoring Szczesny. The experience and knowledge he could pass onto the Pole would be invaluable and I think it would really help him grow as a player. In 3 years time Szczesny would then be around 27, the perfect age to become Arsenal's number 1 and a legend at the club.

Verdict - I would go for Julio Cesar on the basis that his age and fee make him an attractive proposition for the club. Cesar could provide some short term competition for Szczesny, whilst also being a mentor to him.

Who would you sign as our new goalkeeper?

Many thanks,

Come on you Gooners!