We HAVE tied Szczesny down

James

...to a long term contract. It will be unbelivable if we allow him to leave at the end of this season, and for nothing on top of that. He's going to be a superstar this lad. That save from Smith was incredible, and he showed all the makings of a top class goalkeeper in just his second Arsenal performance.

Get him straight in the office tomorrow Arsene.

Klaus

I've lost the source file so I can't update it with the saves from today. A few more performances like this one and I'll be able to make a whole new video though. He's one of the most exciting players to emerge from our youth team in recent times. I think the reason he's not talked about as much as Ramsey and Wilshere is because it's simply harder to get games as a goalkeeper. He'll end up some player though.

Don Pacifico

Whilst I totally agree that he was one of our best players tonight (and very impressive at that), I'm going to do my usual 'note of caution' routine by reminding everyone that despite the good save off of Taylor's FK, he (mis-)parried it into a dangerous area. Evidence that despite his great talent and huge potential, that he's not the genuine article just yet.

But yes, let's give him a new contract sharpish!

Gurgen

It would be an utter catastrophe if we let this guy leave. Put a gun to his head and make him sign a new deal now.

Big Willie

Yes, let's. The kids outrageously talented and a run in a championship or premiership side on load would complete the learning phase for him I reckon. We can't under any circumstances let him leave us on a free.

James

You're not wrong there Don, although he also showed incredible strong wrists at the same time, he could've pushed it further away. There was also of course the indecisiveness as Ranger went through, although that's likely to be down to inexperience rather than poor technique.

Pepe LeFrits

James wrote:
...to a long term contract. It will be unbelivable if we allow him to leave at the end of this season, and for nothing on top of that. He's going to be a superstar this lad. That save from Smith was incredible, and he showed all the makings of a top class goalkeeper in just his second Arsenal performance.

Get him straight in the office tomorrow Arsene.

Indeed. YoungGunsBlog said on twitter that contract talks have stalled somewhat recently... well they better get them moving. I worry to think how much hair I'd be left with were he to walk away on a free.

Don Pacifico

Love the icon James has chosen for this thread! 😆

Captain

Think he has a touch of Fabianski about him, must be a polish thing. They just look like they are ready to something crazy at any given time.

James

Don Pacifico wrote:
Love the icon James has chosen for this thread! 😆

:angel:

Very true Capi. I don't know what it is about Chesney though, but he seems alot more commanding whilst having his eccentric moments

Rohit

It will be a disaster to let him leave. He has been educated here and should be convinced to stay. He will be Arsenal's no. 1 keeper for years to come, a bit of patience will do him no harm.

kamikaze

the biggest obstacle to a new contract might be spelling the guy's name correctly. impressed with the thread title, tbh.

goon

Hopefully he just wants to be no.2 and cup games will keep him happy enough to sign on... problem is, I can't see Arsene dropping Almunia from the squad completely.

Biggus

If he doesn't and Sneezy leaves, Wenger should be put in the ejector seat.

Gurgen

Captain wrote:
Think he has a touch of Fabianski about him, must be a polish thing. They just look like they are ready to something crazy at any given time.

True, but he is built like a monster and he oozes confidence. The talent is clearly there, he just needs experience.

Ricky1985

So what does Wenger do when Almunia "returns" to fitness?

Does he drop him from the 18-man squad completely and go with Fabianski and Szczesny as 1 and 2, or does he bring him back to the bench in place of Szczesny, or, god forbid, does he bring him back in as our Number 1?

My view is he keeps Almunia as far away from the squad as possible, and gives Szczesny plenty of match day experience and games in the cups - and Fabianski's form drops the first chance goes to Szczesny. If he signs for someone else in January I'll be truly gutted. Wenger surely won't let it happen.

Don Pacifico

I'd hope Almunia is relegated to 3rd choice if only to keep him further away from the #1 spot!

Now that Fabianski seems to resemble a suitable first choice, I don't feel there's any need to heap too much pressure on Ches (ie. get him playing PL games). I'd hope he'd be satisfied with being a cup 'keeper for now but I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger reverted to playing Almunia in the FA Cup. I think it's more than likely that Almunia will be ahead of Ches in the squad when he returns but perhaps now we can look to offload him in the summer. If he thinks he's got limited chances to be our goalie, then I'm sure he wouldn't mind moving on and similarly, there'll be clubs of a reasonable level that'd be happy to have him in goal.

James

I think we'll see Chesneys appearances limited to the Carling Cup, whilst Almunia may play in the FA Cup, and remaining Champs League group games.

Klaus

Yep. Bar a massive fuckup from Fabianski (and it still doesn't feel entirely unlikely at this point) Almunia will be sold in the summer, but not a second before that. I think it's something that will be guaranteed to Szczesny when they renegotiate his contract. In one way or another he'll end up our second choice keeper next season. He'll have to be patient until then, though.

Ricky1985

What would be the point of Almunia playing the remaining Champions League games, James?