Almunia could stay, but he should never be Arsenal captain, Arsene!
By Graham McNorthbank
News filtering through from Fulham is that Mark Schwarzer is not leaving the club, potentially leaving Arsenal's plans to strengthen the goalkeeping position in tatters.
Disappointing as that might be, my gripe today is Arsene Wenger's decision to use Almunia as a stand-in skipper.
This is not yet another hatchet job on Manuel, but just a general moan about the choice of a goalie as club captain.
Now I know he's only filling in for Cesc Fabregas and that usually Robin van Persie would take the armband when Fab4 isn't on the pitch.
But my point is that a captain should be a leader on the pitch and in the modern game, it should not fall to the goalie to assume that role.
If nothing else, the Respect campaign states that referees should only be spoken to by the captain. That doesn't exactly work if your skipper is at the other end of the pitch between the posts.
Like him or loathe him, Manuel Almunia might be a decent keeper, but he is not a leader of men.
There are other onfield options for Le Gaffer to choose from - Tomas Rosicky was the captain of the Czech Republic; Thomas Vermaelen looks like he'd make a great captain. Perhaps the added responsibility of the armband might even get Andrey Arshavin to step up his game.
With Almunia's future the subject of much speculation - and Wenger himself questioning whether he is distracted by the transfer talk - why give him the armband?
RvP looks like he'll be sidelined for the next month and Cesc still isn't back at full fitness, so let's hope the hierarchy of the team is looked at during this international break so that we can have a more appropriate stand-in skipper this season.
As a fellow Addict points out, Almunia cannot command his penalty box, let alone the rest of the team.
DA
Reader Comments (12)
It's very important that we all get behind Almunia now. It'll do no good whatsoever if we continue to lambaste him or, God forbid, start booing him at home matches. Yes, Wenger should have acted more efficiently and brought in a better keeper, but he didn't and that's that. Almunia is ours and we MUST continue to have faith in him; his peformance against Blackburn was excellent and there's no reason why he can't play like that more regularly. Of course his errors deserve to be criticized, but if we single him out like we have done to Eboue and Song in the past, his confidence will drain even further.
The important thing about the armband is how it is perceived and accepted by the other players. I'm sure that Wenger takes this into account when choosing Almunia, and this being the case it's not an issue for me.
Well said Chris!
God, Wenger is such a moron. How can he spend 4 fucking months chasing Mark Schwarzer for god sake. Almunia is one of the worst keepers in the Premier League, this needs to be sorted and its disgraceful it hasn't been - what the hell is Wenger paid for? If Almunia gets injured we only have that prat Fabianski as back up.
I completely agree with Chris!! It would be absolutely retarded for us to continue to call for Almunia's head as we have very little option now. Dare I say we get behind him, sing his name as much as the other players in the team. There's a good goalie in him somewhere as was shown at the blackburn game and the 1st half against Barcelona last season. Booing him will not make him do a better job I guarantee that!!!
The captaincy of The Arsenal is the only area where my faith in Wenger is tested. He doesn't seem to understand the importance of the post. All down the years Arsenal have had inspirational Captains, from Tom Parker, Charlie Buchan Joe Mercer, through to Frank McLintock,, Sansom, Adams etc. Almunia. albeit as a third choice stand in, is curious to the point of bewilderment. Leaving apart his goalkeeping qualities, this isn't the issue, Almunia is a naturally reserved, quiet individual. Hardly the sort of bloke you wouild expect to see leading them out of the trenches on a wet, windy night in the North eh? Vermaelen however? In the absence of Cesc and RVP, Vermaelen is the obvious stand in Captain.Unless, of course, Wenger know something we have never seen in Manuel??
weve kept almunia
weve kept almunia
weve kept almunia
weve kept almunia
sing this at next match
make vermaleen skipper reminds me of adams
oh and well said chris
Like the rest said we need to get Behind him now forget about another keeper He can do it I have faith
Good Blog but I dont agree with your assessment of the role of skipper. in football it is not important and Almunia has shown Arsenal respect and loyalty when so much was being written about him recently - he is a good Gunner and has more experience in CL than the 2 we were linked with.
Wow another great transfer window from the so called professor. He had one major job this summer and it was to address the keeper situation. But the great one decided to go to the world cup and broadcast for french TV. Our biggest signing this summer was wait hold on.... Arsene Wenger Great!!!!
i honestly cant believe we havn't signed a goal keeper, im counting the days wenger goes!!!!!!
I am glad you said this :P
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