Camden New Journal - Sports: Arsenal

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - by RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 11 October 2007

Wenger’s number one dilemma

Shot-stoppers play a waiting game as Arsenal boss keeps his options open

ARSENE Wenger suggested on Sunday that he hasn’t made up his mind over who his number one goalkeeper is.
The Arsenal manager said he would decide who appears between the sticks for the Gunners on a match-by-match basis, a hint that individual mistakes could cost players their place on the team-sheet.
He stuck by Manuel Almunia on Sunday for the visit of Sunderland, not daring to offer 37-year-old Jens Lehmann the opportunity to warm the substitutes’ bench.
Wenger knows, however, the Germany World Cup goalkeeper will want to know where he stands and whether he has a future at the Emirates Stadium after this weekend’s international break.
“On the goalkeeping position, I will go from game to game on that,” said Wenger. “We live in a competitive world and I have confidence in all of my players. I have shown that before by putting them into big games. But you will always have to accept that only 11 players can play a time.”
Lehmann had a nightmare start to the season with a blunder against Fulham which almost saw Arsenal lose vital points on the opening day. His fumble against Blackburn led to the Gunners being held to a draw at Ewood Park – the only league points they have dropped so far.
In contrast, Almunia has appeared a safe pair of hands and declared himself the new number one at Ashburton Grove, while new recruit Lukasz Fabianski – highly thought of by the Arsenal coaching staff – impressed in the Carling Cup tie with Newcastle last month.
Wenger has made it clear that he’s happy to give in-form and inexperienced players a place in his starting eleven at the expense of more established stars.
He said: “It’s part of the job and it’s natural that competition exists.
“Sometimes you have periods of congestion but we want to be successful and to be successful we know that every single player will have to play.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: