World Cup goalkeeper Eduardo has snubbed the chance to join Arsenal in favour of Genoa as the north London club dragged their feet over the deal, must Arsene Wenger act now to stop any more keepers slipping through the Gunners’ clutches?
Most Arsenal fans agree that replacing their under-fire goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, who seems nervous between the sticks and has been prone to mistakes.
Eduardo was earmarked as a potential replacement after impressing for Portugal in the World Cup as they only conceded the one goal, which was against eventual world champions Spain when David Villa slotted home in the second half of their second round match...and even then many Portugal fans argued it should have been ruled offside.
Despite Wenger’s interest in the player he went from Sporting Braga to Genoa for just £4 million, which is hardly a king’s ransom and in keeping with the club’s financial policy which has been fairly strict over the last decade.
The Portuguese keeper’s agent Joe Donkor had this to say in regards to Arsenal’s interest in the player:
“It is flattering to know of Arsenal's interest, but Genoa made it plain they really, really wanted Eduardo and he is delighted to have signed for them.”
Was the failure to act the reason why Arsenal missed out on this player, surely he would have chosen the Emirate over Genoa (no disrespect to them) if he was given the chance to?
In any case the manager must act fast as I believe the goalkeeping position is Arsenal’s most pressing concern and has to be treated as the utmost priority.
However, it is not all bad as Mark Schwarzer looks likely to sign for the north London outfit for around £3.5 million and it is a deal that Wenger should look to get done as soon as possible now that the World Cup is over and clubs’ business will start to take priority for the remainder of the summer.
The veteran keeper may be an underwhelming signing to many of Arsenal’s fans but he is definitely a better player than Almunia, who was at fault for one too many of the goals Arsenal conceded for Le Prof.
It does seem something of a short term fix, but a necessary one as promising Polish starlet Wojciech Szczęsny is still only 20-years-old and needs time to develop if he is to become a future #1 for the club.
Alternatively to Schwarzer, Wenger may keep an eye on the situation at Manchester City as Joe Hart’s return from loan to Birmingham will most likely lead to either himself or Shay Given being given the cold shoulder by the Eastlands club and could possibly open the door for a club like Arsenal to take advantage.
The Arsenal goalkeeping situation has been neglected for far too long and cannot go unaddressed yet again, but what do the Arsenal fans think the club should do and does Arsene Wenger need to act quicker to resolve the issue than he has done previously?
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Click on image below to see the SPANISH babes at the World Cup
