Did Arsenal miss a transfer trick?
So the clock struck 6, and with the closing of the transfer window there was closure on Manuel Almunia’s immediate future at Arsenal. Not because he has redeemed himself with heroic displays that would make Peter Schmeichel quiver, but because his team failed in their attempts to secure the services of Mark Schwarzer.
Part of the reason they couldn’t get their hands (or gloves) on the Australian, was that Shay Given turned down the chance of a move to Fulham. But surely Arsene Wenger was missing a trick in the pursuit of Fulhams’s keeper on the basis that they in turn could get Given. Why not go for Given in the first place?
Shay Given decided to fight for his place at Man City and try to dislodge Joe Hart after meetings with Roberto Mancini. He moved to City in the first place for the opportunity to win trophies, and it was this that ultimately swayed his decision in favour of staying at his current club. After reassurances from Ireland boss Giovanni Trappatoni that his position for the national team wouldn’t be under threat should he struggle for game time at Eastlands, it is understandable that he may have wanted to remain at the bigger club.
There were tabloid murmurs that Arsenal were interested in Given, but maybe that’s all it was – no concrete offer. Every time I try and rationalise in my head why Wenger didn’t do everything in his power to get Given, I can’t figure it out. Given is younger than Schwarzer, as well as being a better keeper to start with. He would have cost more money, but it would have surely been worth it.
Wenger has policies regarding how much money is spent on transfer fees and wages, as well as the length of contracts offered to players over 30. They have made exceptions, most recently with Sebastien Squillaci, when they deem it necessary, and if ever there was a need for a signing at the club, it must be now. Now since Jens Lehmann’s peak, have Arsenal enjoyed a degree of consistent authority behind their backline.
If Given wanted the opportunity to win trophies, then he would have a similar chance to do that at Arsenal as he does at City, not to mention the lure of the Champions League. It was one of those moves that seemed to make so much sense for all the parties involved. The main stumbling block would have potentially been City’s reluctance to sell a top player to a rival club, but that is something they will have to accept more and more with the turnover of players that they will go through over the coming years.
I am willing to concede that my inside track on the possible ins and outs of potential deals is about as limited as Sir Alex’s BBC interviews, so maybe the Gunners did make an attempt that was turned away immediately. If Given was aware of their interest and believed it to be genuine, I would assume the chances are he would consider the move.
Arsenal fans must be used to their ears bleeding with talk from opposing fans, pundits, players, even themselves, about the lack of some sturdiness at the back. And a team that has invested in defenders over the summer, could have been far stingier outfit with someone of Given’s qualities behind. There would be little adapting, as he is a seasoned performer in the Premier League, and having turned 34 in April, still has at least three of four years at the top of his game.
His transfer fee would have been fairly substantial, but nothing bank-breaking, and certainly worth the fee. I can’t help feeling Arsenal have missed an opportunity to build a defence with extremely solid foundations. Exceptions to rules exist, and Shay Given moving to Arsenal would have done both the world of good.
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You’re forgetting that Mancini won’t sell players to Man City’s closest rivals.
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Errrrm… City wont sell to rival clubs! There’s your answer to all of that!
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That’s the reason why there was absolutly no chance for given. But there are plenty of other good keepers (thousands that are better then almunia and fabiansky even when they are together between the sticks). Stekelenburg, lloris, marcetti, neuer, benaglio, adler… And even when they cost 20mil theyre wirth every cent! We have enough money for one transfer! And even if we cant get a keeper, why not spending in other possitions? Look at spuds… I would have taken vdv as well for only 8mil!
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Wenger doesn’t sign stars – he would never have bought VDV.
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when wenger didn’t buy a keeper first week of the transfer window most arsenal fans knew there’d be no keeper coming to the emiirates. Last season they conceeded more than 40 goals. arsenal are content with being in the top four while making a profit and don’t have ambition to win trophies. Is there a worse keeper than flappyhandski in the premiership? Another season wasted.
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Look at Bellamy, sold to Cardiff because they aren’t a threat. Man City just don’t sell to rivals unless they get a player in return (e.g. Aston Villa & Milner). Having said that, Given wasn’t the only decent keeper in the Market. However, what we needed even more than a great no1 was a good no2. There must be hundreds of keepers out there that are better than flappy.
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City wouldnt strengthen a rival. Thanks for the long article with a short answer. You are not generating debate, just merely passing time.
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I cant help but feel this is a bit of a pointless article!
Wenger WILL have looked at Given over the past month and might possibly have attempted to sign him but the problems are:
1) Man City definitely wont sell him to a top-of-the-table/Champions League rival
2) Wenger doesnt want to restrict the opportunities of Fabianski, Mannone and Szczesny.
God knows why he wants to persist with Fabianski, but he clearly wants to give him a go!!
I personally think that Given would be a very good keeper for us but judging by the amount of aerial bombardments we are subjected to over the course of a season, I dont think even Given has that much extra height or strength over Almunia to be able to deal with these situations that much more effectively than the Spainard.
I think (possibly) someone like Rene Adler or Manuel Neuer has the height and strength to deal with these situations. Another GK we were linked with; Hugo Lloris certainly would struggle!!
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I think if we had made a real effort we might have been able to get him. What if he dug his heels in and asked for the move once we made a bid.
Also, regardless of height, he is much much better than Alumina
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