There is a very worrying report this morning in the Express saying that our current Number One keeper Bernd Leno could not only miss the start of next season, but could be on the sidelines for a much longer time than we once thought.
The report says: Leno could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The German collided with Neal Maupay in Arsenal’s match with Brighton shortly after the restart, and initial reports suggested he would be back in the side before the end of the season.
But now, Arsenal are fearing the worst, and are reportedly getting a second opinion from medical officials.
The official diagnosis is that he has a ligament strain in his shoulder, though the Gunners want to make sure it isn’t anything worse.
I suppose, luckily for us, that Emiliano Martinez has been a revelation since stepping in after Leno’s injury, but the report also says that Arteta may bring in another stopper as cover if the German is out for the long term.
But we must not forget that we have Matt Macey waiting in the wings, and another keeper coming in could definitely persuade the Englishman that he will have to find another club to ever get first team football. And also we have Deyan Iliev in the picture, as the Macedonian is now 25 years old and will be looking for more action too.
Surely we already have enough cover, as what will happen to Macey, Iliev and any other new keeper arrival when Leno does recover?
I think we have other areas to worry about before targeting another keeper, don’t you?
Pats slightly worrying article shows only too graphically the key importance of a top keeper in any side. I had no idea til now that LENO was more seriously injured than was thought.
We Gooners who were much worried when Leno got injured, have been reassured by the reliable and consistent top form of Martinez. I confess, NOW, to being very torn between which of those two top keepers we currently have that we can afford to let leave. Ideally, NEITHER must be allowed to leave.
However, have faith fellow Gooners, because we have a top class manager in MA who will sort this out so that we are amply covered, whatever transpires.
Martinez, Leno, Macey, Iliev, Hillson, Hein, Okonkwo and Tom Smith
8 professional keepers on the books, to cover 1st team and under 23s.
Plus another batch of keepers for the under 18s.
If we sign another keeper I would be surprised. May be an experienced keeper in his mid 30s who would be happy to play 2nd and eventually 3rd fiddle.
Personally I think it’s Time let Martinez shine then let the others fight fight it out to deputise. But certainly 2 or 3 might be thinking about their futures already. In particular Macey and Iliev, who are not particularly any better than the younger ones behind them
👍 Atid, Macey is a good keeper and Iliev is promising. Given Arsenal’s issues in midfield and defense, scarce resources should be allocated elsewhere.
If we. Need a mother goalie short time why not sign joe hart short time
No sir not again, I’d rather have an empty net than have Joe Hart plus we just need gametime for the younger ones. See what a revelation Emi has turned out to be, saved us money on a goalie. The next gen could be even better than Emi, who knows? Mat is a big keeper too, he needs games too.
plus I’d like to see Hillson and Arthur also develop for the first team.Our headache is the midfield.
He is on free and his salary won’t be high. If Leno is sidelined for long time, we should consider as backup stopper.
Macey, and other young keepers should go on loan to gain experience.
Unless any of them made it in championship for season or two or abroad in a decent league. Otherwise, it is risky to depend on them, unless we want to give Emi as much matches as possible even outside PL.
why arsenal should sign a keeper yet HEIN and HILSON are waiting to get into first team
I think they are just searching for a back-up keeper to justify selling either Leno or Martinez in this window to raise cash.