Arsenal 2009/2010 End Of Season Squad Assessment, Pt 1.

After my season previews, I will now do the reviews. I started with the goalkeepers as you can see here.


GoalKeepers.


1. Manuel Almunia. " unless Fabianski applies intense pressure, he may slip into a comfort mode." This has proved to be very true this season. Following his two horror displays against Man Utd (Rooney penalty) and then Man City (own goal) away both in consecutive matches, he was dropped for 7 matches when Mannone stepped in for him. He came back against Spurs at home in October, made another error vs Wolves in November, gifted Liverpool a goal away in December, was chipped by Pienaar against Everton in January. he then punched the ball into his own net vs Man Utd, and he repeated the trick two months later vs Birmingham. He made a critical error of judgement vs Barcelona for Ibrahimovic's first goal, then in the second, he was chipped twice and allowed one through his legs. Finally against Spurs, he punched when he should have caught that led to their opener.

As you can see, that is way too many errors for a team looking to win trophies. He has probably cost the team the league with his blunders, if he never made them, draws would be wins, losses would be draws, and in a season where the league is tight, these have been very expensive gaffs.

If he lines up as Arsenal Number 1 next season, Wenger will have shown lack of ambition. I think he would realistically be a better number 2, he has some experience and will learn when he is in for short stints, but we cannot rely on him for the long term.

Stats, played 36, conceded 39. Grade E.


21. Lukasz Fabianski. "He needs to really step up this term and aim to relegate Almunia to the bench and keep him there." Well he clearly failed to do that this season. He was injured at the start of the season, however he has not shown that he is ready to be the number 1 for Arsenal. He made brutal errors such as allowing Insua to score a screamer against him in the Carling Cup, got his angles all wrong in the 3-0 loss to Man City in the Carling Cup, allowed some soft goals vs Stoke in the FA Cup, before his horror show in Porto.

If he is not getting games, he needs to go on loan for a season or two as he clearly doesn't look confident or in form. He can only get worse by sitting on the bench.

Stats, played 7, conceded 14. Grade F.


24. Vitto Mannone. " The most he can hope for is Reserve team football and the Carling Cup." Due to the poor form of Almunia early in the season, he got his chance, and he had an inspired performance vs Fulham, before showing his immaturity against West Ham where he cost the team a win.

Another who needs a loan spell, especially if a new keeper is acquired as he will not improve sitting on the bench. However statistically, he has been the clubs best keeper.

Stats, played 8, conceded 8. Grade C.


Verdict

It is clear for all to see, the goal keeping issue is the biggest one that needs to be addressed at the club this season. The stats for them all as a collective has been very very bad. To let in 58 goals and to have a sizeable portion of them as blunders is not acceptable, Fabianski should leave on loan, same as Mannone, Almunia demoted to number 2 and a top experienced keeper acquired who knows how to keep goal and is mature. Serious surgery required here.

Arsenal Squad 2009-2010 Assessment. Part 1.

The wait is nearly over, from Monday 13 July, the squad will begin to work more intensely with the ball and the identity of play which will be employed for the season. I will give an assessment of the squad, goalkeepers first, defenders second, midfield third and finally strikers. Any new acquisitions will be addressed at the close of the market in September.

GoalKeepers.

1. Manuel Almunia. The current number 1, his third season as a regular beckons. He thrived in his first as he had Jens Lehmann breathing down his neck, his second he had little competition, and despite being a very good goalkeeper, unless Fabianski applies intense pressure, he may slip into a comfort mode. Last season he made the difference between more goals being scored, showing he understands the destiny of the team are in his hands, he also had bad errors though like Ronaldo-Bentley.

21. Lukasz Fabianski. He needs to really step up this term and aim to relegate Almunia to the bench and keep him there. To do that, he needs to calm down and realise the destiny of the team is in his hands, this he never did last season where he appeared casual and suicidal in the chances given to him. A place in the Poland squad is up for stake, so he needs to step his game up. A classic case of an able deputy is Juventus, Buffon was injured, Manninger played with distinction many thought he should have played more games, we need this from our Pole.

24. Vito Mannone. A number 3, i do not think he will get many chances, he isn't ready to hold the destiny of the team in his hands that affects results. The most he can hope for is Reserve team football and the Carling Cup.

Verdict: Almunia has a possible England place to play for, Fabianski has to perform to get a place in the Poland 2010 squad, between these two, if they play towards these objectives, Arsenal can have some inspirational performances, just like Lehmann who realised this reality in 2005 to become Germany Number 1 in 2006.