WELL, THAT’S THAT!

And there, my friends, goes the summer transfer window. Passed us by and for once I must say it hasn’t been too disappointing. I’m not the kind who wants a player every window but it’s been a long time coming that Wenger would need to sign reinforcements. But, the irony of the transfer window and in fact the football world is that we didn’t really get what we needed most. We went to the grocery, picked up the bread, the butter and a few apples but we’re still left rummaging for the milk.

So it’s official. Arsenal FC goes into the 2010-2011 season with Manuel Almunia as first choice. There isn’t actually a problem with not having a new goalkeeper and having to stick with Almunia. But the problem arises when you realize that you’ve unsettled your best goalkeeper with news of new players coming in. I don’t envy Wenger’s position right now. It wasn’t like him to go public with interest in a specific player and I must say I was left slightly wide-eyed and a tad bit worried when he actually did. Now, the boss is left with a slightly disgruntled and most probably offended senior goalkeeper and a Pole who kills atleast 10 Arsenal fans every game by giving them heart attacks.

I know a lot of Arsenal fans out there must be flat. It is disappointing. “Arsenal on the brink of signing Schwarzer”-”Arsenal to sign Schwarzer soon”-”Schwarzer deal a 99% certain”-”Doubts loom over Schwarzer”-”Schwarzer signing seems unlikely”-”Schwarzer still hoping”-”Schwarzer to stay put at Fulham”. Not the most heartening of reads. One mitigating factor towards the disappointment however, is the knowledge that our hands were tied. The deal was never going to happen until Fulham found a replacement and in the end…. they didn’t.

Disheartening, yes. But definitely not reason to lose hope, for me or for the Gooners out there. I know Almunia isn’t great. He’s in fact quite horrible as a goalkeeper. But, there is no questioning his character. He’s never really been too proud to take the blame and throughout the criticism he’s been receiving, he has maintained that he intends to improve and to prove himself to the Arsenal faithful.

I know it’s a far-fetched hope, but maybe just maybe there just might be a turn around. Almunia might finally get better. One never knows. He didn’t have a particularly awful time at Blackburn and as far as I can gather he wasn’t too shabby against Liverpool either (pardon me if I’m wrong here, but I doubt I am). In terms of shot-stopping he isn’t too bad right now. It could always use some improvement and that’s what we’re hoping for here but his main issue is his inability to coordinate with his defenders. As goalkeeper he’s obviously the man to marshal the defenders and push them about here and there. He’s either too shy to exercise some dictatorial, cantankerous authority or his head hurts when he starts thinking about how to organize the defense. Whatever the problem, Almunia needs that sorted out.

One just hopes he’ll take the effective disowning by the Arsenal fans in the right spirit (if that’s even possible) and actually put up some noteworthy performances this season. I might be rubbing salt into the wounds here, but Almunia sure is lucky he has time till January to prove himself. I’m pretty sure he’s aware of that but to his credit he’s said nothing harsh about the club. Arsenal right now, are in a desperate position in terms of goalkeepers. It wouldn’t have hurt him had he had a go at Wenger and the club. It’s not like we’d sell him and put Flappy between the sticks is it? He hasn’t dealt us that blow and for that I declare my gratitude. Anyways, we’re going to see Manuel Almunia guard the sticks until January (atleast) and I can’t say I’m too happy about it, but I sure as hell won’t write-off our chances this season. That is not happening.

Sticking to the topic of goalkeepers, Arsenal reserves’ James Shea trained with the England squad today. I have to say the opening line left me smiling. “James Shea got a surprise ‘call-up’ to the England squad on Tuesday.” Looks like the hype fever is catching. Hah! But really, Wenger better get the scrub and soap ready. I’m pretty sure Defoe and Rooney have turned our perfectly loveable looking fledgling star into one nasty potty-mouthed critter.

Back to transfers and it seems Armand Traore has moved to Italy to join The Old Lady. It was a choice between Birmingham and Juve for him but I guess the fact that he’d have to hang around with stinkers like this at Birmingham may have played a substantial role in him choosing The Old Lady, ignoring the horrible nickname. Another Arsenal youngster was on the move yesterday. Nacer Barazite, whose name sounds like a character out of a sci-fi movie, has moved to join Vitesse Arnhem on loan.

Nicklas Bendtner, who missed out on the start of this season with a groin injury seems to have aggravated it. So that’s him gone until November. Add to that Arsenal’s first injury casualty this season, Robin van Persie (expected this one, innit?) and his imminent one month absence and the Gunners are left with only Chamakh to play in the central striking role. Let’s hope to god nothing more happens shall we? Or it’s back to Rooski playing atop the pyramid.

Other than that, there really isn’t much else going on. A few gloomy days ahead I guess, as we fantasize about the new goalkeeper that could have been but after that it’s straight back to business with Bolton on 11th, a game we definitely should win providing our players come back from the international break intact.

Later then. Cheers.