The most talked about position at Arsenal this year has been the goal keeper. Fighting over the position, talking to the press about the other players, and now transfer rumours in and out are being associated with the goalkeeper position.
Let’s take a look at what has happened this season -

We have had our German Mad Jens in goal for the past 4 seasons. This year started just like the seasons before, but only 3 games and 2 big mistakes into the season, Lehmann was dropped because of ‘injury’ and replaced by Almunia after the Blackburn game.

For the next game against Man City, this is what Wenger said -

“Jens is out and he will miss two weeks, maybe more. He is going to see a specialist in Germany. He had this injury before but it has got much worse. Apart from the mistakes, he had good games. The first mistake he changed his mind and he was caught and the second one maybe it was the flight of the ball. This is the first time I have seen him make this kind of mistake. With his feet, things can happen but with his hands he is usually 100 per cent secure. I am convinced that he is still top drawer.”

So Almunia was in for now, and started well with 2 clean sheets in a row. He actually had 6 clean sheets in his first 8 games in goal.

Come October, Lehmann is fit enough to play for Germany. After the game, he says :

“I am fully fit now and expect to be back against Bolton. I expect him [Wenger] to play me. So no worries.”

So he automatically expects to start again, which is understandable being the #1 keeper for 4 years. What I don’t understand is why players say such things to the media. Saying such things to the press is an indirect way of putting pressure on the coach and setting up for a confrontation. Wenger’s reply? Not even giving Lehmann a seat on the bench for the Bolton game!

“Jens has to be a little bit patient. Patience? Yes, that is not his first quality, but he has to fight and be patient and be ready. In our job you always have to fight hard and cope with any situation. At the moment Jens has to deal with that. And I’m sure that he is strong enough to do that. I just decided to leave him out for this game. I decided to go with Almunia, but the next game after that we will see.”

Only a few days later, the turning point in my opinion of the whoe ordeal happened. In an interview with German television said the following -

“It could be that at some point I feel like commenting on the whole issue, but right at the moment I just accept everything as part of the humiliation. You have to let it happen,”

“But I think - and this is directed towards my dear coach - that you should not humiliate players for too long. I am an Arsenal player and I will not just fade away quietly.”

“I am convinced I will soon be playing again. Almunia hasn’t shown that he can win us matches just yet. I have been through this situation once and know how the other keeper is situated mentally. I can’t imagine he will handle this.

“Wenger has spoken of three world-class goalies. I guess I must be one of them. The others have proven their class by winning titles? I’m just thinking about it, and I can’t recall any. But yet today they are considered world class.”

The last two paragraphs ended his Arsenal career in my opinion. Saying that you expect to play is one thing, saying that you expect to play because your teammates are shit is a different story. The young team Wenger is building is based on a very good team spirit, and stupid comments like that from senior players are obviously against everything the team is about this year.

The way Almunia responded goes perfectly with what Wenger expects -

“I will stay positive. The goalkeeping position is a difficult position. I’ve been here almost three years without playing in the league. It’s normal for people to assess the situation

“I forget the past now I’m playing. It’s not a problem. I don’t care about pressure. I only want to play well. If I read the papers and listen to what other people say about me, then I’d will turn crazy. I don’t want that.

“When I’m playing well I honestly don’t mind other things that are happening. Maybe if I was playing badly I would be more worried. But now for me life is fantastic and I want to take my chance.”

Very well said Manuel. Now that Lehmann is considering leaving, things are turning out to be not in his favour. His reputation is probably the main reason now why Dortmund fans don’t even want him back in their team! Funny how everything you do and say comes to bite you in the ass at the most critical time of your career. He’s 38, he needs to play to retain his place in the German team according to his coach. Since being dropped, he only played 2 games, an easy home game against Bucharest in the CL and the FA cup game against championship Burnley.

There are many factors that combine to make his Arsenal career over. He is 38, his body and reflexed may not be as good as younger player, and the mistakes he did could prove that. Almunia has been doing a decent job as the #1 keeper. And most importantly in my opinion is his talk.

Now to the important factor - numbers. Lets compare their numbers -

These stats are up to 1/1/2008

All these numbers are for games in the premiership only, and I did not include seasons where one of them played 2 or 3 games.

Looking at these numbers, apart from his first season, Lehmann’s numbers are almost equal if not less impressive than Almunia’s.

The % of clean sheets shows Almunia having a better overall percentage, and this year’s goals against is much better than Lehmann’s past 3 seasons.

Obviously the team’s defending has alot to do with this stat. I honestly believe that when players like Gallas and Toure are not 100% sure about the goalkeeping, they will step up and make a better effort of making him work less, which is a good thing.