Arsenal linked with Birmingham ‘keeper Butland – To replace who?
With the first-team goalkeeping situation of the last few seasons at last looking resolved, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Birmingham stopper Jack Butland. The England Under-21 player hasn’t conceded a goal since mid-September and is looking to progress his career after receiving the national call-up.
Butland is just one inch shorter than giant Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny at 6 ft 4in, and his impressive displays for Cheltenham Town – the club at which he is currently on loan – have led to him being rewarded with a new four year contract, despite having not made a single appearance for the Blues.
At just 18 years-old and with similar levels of experience as Arsenal youngster and fellow goalkeeper James Shea, Butland’s near future is looking bright, but it is the outlook of current goalkeeper at the Emirates that is in doubt. While Lukasz Fabianski is looking for any chance to prove himself before the Euro 2012 tournament, Manuel Almunia’s time with the Gunners looks to be finished and could well move in January.
Vito Mannone hasn’t made a single appearance this season, but with the flawless form of Wojciech Szczęsny between the sticks as Arsenal’s first choice stopper, it is difficult for any player in that position to challenge for his spot.
Almunia may have played little part in the past two seasons, but with seven years at Arsenal, his experience could be a useful factor to have. However, Wojciech Szczęsny is arguably the most confident goalkeeper the club have had in a long while and, despite being just 21 years-old, he arguably provides just as much leadership as anybody in the squad.
If Butland arrives at the club, which goalkeeper should Arsenal be showing the door to first?
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why not get Tim Wiese for free (out of contract) n ship Almunia to malaga n fabianski on loan 2 bremen. So sczezzer’s get’s a mentor. fabianski get’s game time. Almunia is gone. Bremen have a replacement, hence everyone’s happy!
GOONER 4 LIFE
Top Gooner!. Agree or not?:
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Almunia and Fabianski may as well both be moved on. Keep the clear out going.
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Time to move on and bring on the youth keepers !!! excelent keeper and would be geat for gunners !!!
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To me we have the best upcoming keeper, with potentials of been the best in the world, fanbiaski is good enough for second choice keeper so we have no problem in that position. we need gotze, ayew and a striker not a keeper. Just waiting to see what the boss does by January.
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Almunia and Flabbyhandski should leave I think, young keeper can come in but haven’t seen this one play, id he’s that good get him
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i think buying this goalkeeper is not the best idea for now….i think the best thing is, how to get a experience striker like PODOSKI to arsenal….. and ‘ll all are thinking of buying goalkeeper when we have a ( little stopper)SCSNEY in that pole…..and FANBISKI issue isn’t scaring because he tried to be in the first team selection , but SCSNEY seen to better than him….actually among millions there must be the best …and SCSNEY happens to be the best for arsenal this season and the season to come …..come on wenger you can still hold on to FABIANSKI…he’s a good stopper too… in case of any injury….or useful in CARLING-CUP….FA-CUP… even in premiership as well… just rest the keeper….
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This is the time to have a mixture of experience and young talent to the club, united did this with the signing of young and then de gea and jones. Butland is a real young English talent and we should be looking to invest in young ENGLISH talent. If there good enough there old enough, look at wilshere, Ramsey, smalling, jones, cleverly, henderson starting for there clubs.
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Ramsey is welsh by the way.
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Podolski is open to a move to Lazio…I guess he will not rule out coming to the Emirates either????We should get him…
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please please please arsene, sort out the attack 1st. rvp cant play every game!!! we need world class cover for him. every gooner knows it, so why cant arsene see it. or maybe he knows and we will see someone in jan transfer window. theres lots of names out there, but we cant jus go buy anyone, he needs to be an arsenal type player to fit in. gk is covered, defence seems to be getting it right, midfield is all sorted and ticking along nicely. its the attack that is the problem. chamack!!! not good enough, arshavin!! not a striker as is the case for walcott. heres hoping arsenes sees what we all see in january and brings in at least 1 world class striker. then i think 95% of gooners will be happy, and will at last get over losing fab, and greedy bollox nasri. comon the gunners
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get ride of Almunia asap!
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Arsenal looking for a goalkeeper, this is really awkward. why you choose to go to an internist instead of a dentist when you have toothache. if i were Arsen wenger i would look for one world class striker, a physical fullback and a creative midfielder.
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I bet the record this season is so loud that just anyone can tell who should be replaced. Almunia should be sent packing permanently in favor of the upcoming star ,Butland.
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