We are halfway through the January transfer window, and other than the Mesut Ozil saga, Arsenal fans have not had that much to cheer about so far, although it looks like the Gunners have been drastically reducing their wage bill.
One problem area that Arteta considers urgent (other than the obvious attacking midfielder) is the desperate need for a more capable back up to Bernd Leno in goal, as it seems the emergency acquisition of Runar Runarsson is simply not working out. Arteta made it clear this was being addressed when he he said last week: “We are assessing the situation with the three positions on the goalkeeping area and we will find a different solution, probably in this window.”
Since then, Arteta’s main target appeared to be the Brazilian stopper Neto, but Barca have announced that he can’t leave until the summer, so the Gunners are now being linked with an apparently highly-talented English keeper Freddie Woodman, who has over 50 caps for England from the U16 level up to the U21s, so is obviously very highly regarded in the UK. He even won the Golden Glove when England U20’s won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, saving a penalty in the final against Venezuela which England won 1–0.
Woodman is only 23 now, and is currently playing regularly on loan as Number One at Swansea City in the Championship. He is contracted to Newcastle, although his deal only lasts until this coming summer, so we could get him very cheaply as well.
Freddie is a Londoner (well, Croydon) and started his career at Crystal Palace, where his father Andy was goalkeeping coach at the time, before moving to Newcastle when he turned 17. He is 6ft 2in tall, and I think that he could be a very promising investment for Arsenal at the right price.
Interestingly Woodman’s godfather is Gareth Southgate…
Hmm, he seems like a very decent keeper. Homegrown as well. If hes available for moderate price, go for it.
Not only could he deputise Leno but also challenge him.
We’d better get a move on!! The clock is ticking….
OT.. Shout out to Mark McGuinness – scored his first career goal yesterday, for Ipswich 👏
More interestingly, his dad Andy Woodman is the Arsenal Head of Goalkeeping. Could be something in this rumour.
Was it a header?
It was indeed, Siamois!
I recommended him the other day.A very able keeper who would be real competition for Leno.
WE SHOULD HAVE GIVEN MACEY A CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO BUT HE IS NOW THE FIRST CHOICE SOMEWHERE IN SCOTLAND. LET US LEARN TO GIVE OUR OWN SOME CHANCE
I agree
Hibernian. It looks like there is no observance or assessment of what Arsenal has in the goalkeeping ranks.
Yeah, sure. Just get a decent HG Gk for a low price, and move onto the more important problems in the squad. This should’ve been dealt with last summer anyways instead of wasting even a penny on Runnarsson.
Well said Richard.I watched Macey play very well for Hibs against Celtic last week and apparently he was impressive again for them yesterday.
Why not give matt macey the chance to prove is worth first before deciding on signing a new goalie.