Mark Schwarzer’s performance against Newcastle on Saturday was a show of goalkeeping skill. Schwarzer has been a model professional for Fulham this season, even though his heart clearly is with joining Arsenal. It would have been easy for the Australian to sulk and let his form drop, but he knows he must maintain his standards if he is going to get the move he desires. Mark Schwarzer has proven he is good enough, Fulham will sell, it is now up to Arsene Wenger to pull out the stops in January and sign the goalkeeper.
Mark Schwarzer wants to join Arsenal. It is no disrespect to Fulham, but at this stage of his carrer, the goalkeeper feels he needs one shot at one of the top English clubs. Talking to Sky Sports in early October, Schwarzer insists he is still keen on moving to the Emirates.
”It was probably one of my hardest periods ever,” Schwarzer said. “This is the only time in my career I have ever tried to force an issue.”
”I don’t have time on my side. If you were a 30-year-old you would walk away and say ‘fair enough, I understand’. “But I’m almost 38 and I want to fulfil an ambition. The sheer opportunity that was there ..”
”That was very flattering, but sometimes you’ve just got to grin and bear it and just get on with normal life again as much as possible.”
”You just have to get your head down and work as hard as possible.”
You have to admire the goalkeeper’s attitude. His attitude must impress Arsene Wenger. His goalkeepers this season at times have shown why Wenger has placed so much faith in them. Manuel Almunia’s performance against Blackburn was brilliant whilst Lukasz Fabianksi was terrific against Manchester City. They have shown glimpses that they can be the goalkeeper Arsenal need but too many times that have let Arsenal, Wenger and themselves down. If Arsenal are to captatlise on the mistakes of Chelsea and Manchester United this season, they need to bring in a top class goalakeeper. Mark Schwarzer fits the bill perfectly. He is a terrific shot stopper, a big game player as well as a fine communicator. He has everything needed to succeed at Arsenal for the limited time he would be there for.
The question that still lingers is, do Arsenal need a new goalkeeper. What they they need is someone of Schwarzer’s experience and class. Not only on the playing field, but since the departure of Jens Lehmann, Arsenal haven’t had a top goalkeeper to pass on knowledge the youngsters. Lukasz Fabianski and Wojciech Szczęsny ( I do not envy Arsenal’s stadium announcer) would benefit so much from him on the training ground. Arsenal may not get substantial years out of the Australian stopper but his influence on the young goalkeepers at the club could be priceless.
Its time for Wenger to buy a stop gap, that is all Schwarzer would be. That is no disrespect to the goalkeeper, just his age will control this. The reported figure Wenger offered Fulham seems a fair one, but Wenger may have to pay a little over what he would want to if he is to get his man. His age does raise a few question marks, but the impact that Schwarzer could have on Arsenal, again could be priceless. His experience will be key, something Arsenal will need if they are to challenge in the later part of the season.
Like what you read? Leave your comments below and contact me on twitter, where you can also keep up to date with the latest Arsenal news!
Click on image below to see Wesley’s latest lady
