One keeper in, one keeper out. 27 May, 2007

This weekend it was officially announced that we have signed Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The 22 year old has signed on a long-term contract from Legia Warsaw. He won the championship in 2006 with them, and has also been named the best goalie in the league for 2006 and 2007. He was also was named in the Squad for the World Cup squad last year. His name is pronounced ‘Woo-Kash Fab-Yan-Ski’ encase you’re wondering.

With Lehmann confirming he’ll be staying for at least another year we were not on the hunt for a world-class no.1 this summer. Fabianski isn’t a top ‘keeper yet but is still young, he’ll slot into the squad nicely and fight for his place. Wenger said that if Jens had left, Almunia would’ve just been promoted anyway. So we now have Lehmann, Fabianski and Almunia for next season, a good selection and I’m sure Wenger will do all he can to rotate them around. Lukasz is definitely one for the future, lets hope he comes good.

‘What about Poom?’ I hear you ask. Well he’s moved to Watford. With our new signing it was going to take some sort of a miracle for Mart to find his way into the team. At Vicarage road he should be able to secure some first team football with the remaining few years of his contract. I say good luck to him, he hasn’t really been called upon here but I doubt he ever really expected to be. I believe he never let in a goal for us, which is quite good going.

Last year Wenger had Almunia playing in the domestic cup competitions, and Lehmann in the League and Europe. I think this coming season he’ll have to try something similar. This is almost certainly Jens’ last year here; I think he’s on the decline. So this season is the opportunity for Fabianski and Almunia to fight it out, and for one of them to establish himself as Lehmann’s successor.

Another player who looks to be leaving is Mathieu Flamini. He’s been talking about his lack of games, particularly in finals. He says he would play most of the games on the way to the final, then be snubbed for the final game. He’s a good player; just I think there are better ones than him here now. I will be sad to see him go but I think it’s best for both him and us that he moves on.

Thanks for reading.

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