Arsenal closer to excellent £6m bid: The best in the Premier League?
by Mr Comfort on July 27th, 2008
| 301 words |
This Newcastle United keeper has apparently revealed that he would very much like the chance to move south in order to fulfill ambitions he may not be able to secure at St James’ Park.
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Shay Given’s Newcastle future is still in doubt — despite Kevin Keegan insisting his first-choice keeper is not for sale.
The Republic of Ireland No 1 has been linked with a move to Arsenal and has told friends is keen on a switch to the Emirates.Given, 32, has three years left on his current £55,000-a-week deal and may be allowed to leave to cut costs.
Given has publicly stated he wants to stay with the Magpies but has revealed his frustration at their lack of activity in the transfer market this summer. (Lancashire Evening Post)
£6m-rated Shay Given is quite possibly the best keeper in the Premier League. The Newcastle United man has served the Geordies with excellence for a decade now, and may be willing to move on in order to secure silverware befitting a player of his calibre.
Arsenal have Almunia in place as their number one, and the Spaniard/possible England international is a quality player who has earned his right to the first-choice jersey, but having Given around would help the club who will no doubt be battling on many fronts and probably encountering a 50+ game season this coming term and therefore could need two top goalies to call on. Fabianski is probably not ready for anything beyond Carling Cup action, so another keeper is definitely needed at the club with Jens already on his way back to the Bundesliga.
Would Arsenal fans welcome the signing of a keeper of the quality of Shay or should Wenger look to strengthen other areas of his squad first?
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Tagged Under: Arsenal FC, newcastle united, Premier League, Transfer Rumours
Bryan - July 27th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Given is class, and i agree on his day the best in the Premier League. Would be a good battle for the number one spot if we got him. I rate Almunia but i think Shay is better
vc - July 27th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
2 be honest i dont think arsenal need another keeper at the moment jus a good deffender and mid fielder
Internet Gooner - July 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Don’t spend that money. Put it towards Barry. Veloso, or Yaya.
Nick - July 27th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I have to agree with the comments above, the money would be better spent elsewhere. They desperately need a holding midfield player to replace Flamini/Gilberto and could also do with another central defender.
scottpuffin - July 27th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I actually think Given is over-rated. Playing for one of the weaker premiership teams he’ll generally have a lot more to do than the top 4 keepers, but I’ve just never really seen him do much. He’s hardly Brad Friedel or David James.
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GOONA - July 27th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Good keeper but no thanks! He’s too used to being on the losing side and I don’t want it to rub off on us.
Amrit - July 27th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I agree with scottpuffin, given is completely overrated..at best averge and i think perhaps one of the worse goal keepers in the premier league…who saw his performance against man utd…last season and the season before….in fact he only ever plays well against arsenal hence thats y our fans think he’s all that.
daymee - July 27th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I think his qualities are unquestionable. It will be reassuring to have someone like him. Assume Almunia breaks his leg in September, what will we be left with? The lot of you would be cursing Wenger to his face. Last season, we had Lehmann who was a fallback option but do you honestly think Fabianski is ready? Do you think he can even push Almunia? In a top team you need good competition between the players and the goalkeeping position has been a problem is recent seasons. We concede silly goals, partly due to our defence but I’m sorry if you think we can win the PL with Almunia in goal then you are dreaming. Wenger is stubborn when he comes to this sort of thing and this is one of the reasons we end up empty. Mourinho would have axed him but Wenger would accommodate his mistakes and make it up with goals, expecting him to improve. It’s good to give chances to people hoping they’ll inprove in their career. Even so, do it well, create competition and players will get better. Now Almunia knows Lehmann is gone, he will believe Fabianski stands no chance of beating him to the No 1 jersey. Is that competition?
Given may not be as good but he can do a decent job in a club like Arsenal. We’ll be better off with him.
David Villa - July 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
given is not the best in the premier league
TORRES - July 27th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Pepe is the best! 3 Golden Gloves in 3 seasons at the pool, although he makes the odd mistake, he also does the wonderfull, bet ya Pepe will get thm Golden Gloves agian next year… Although Shay and Almunia are both very good
Nadeen - July 28th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I fink the Arsenal Fan should just trust Arsene wenger, He is undoubtly the manager in the Premier League an he wont let us down!!!
shkodraan - July 28th, 2008 at 8:24 am
how u can make false news and what a hell,given best player in premierleague ru kidding me,go away and stop please making faken things
Mark - July 28th, 2008 at 9:02 am
We still need a world class keeper. Almunia is a very good goalkeeper but will not win us a championship. Given is world class but for the last couple of seasons has been very injury prone, which would be my only concern.
mickeyg - July 28th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Anybody who says Given is not a top class goalie has clearly not seen anything of the man. It is easy to base your opinions on nothing and blurt out meaningless evaluations of a player, because he is neither English or playing for a top class club. In fact he has consistently being one of the top 5 keepers in the league for over ten years. He has consistently being Ireland’s best player during in recent years, not least because of the massive problems that Ireland team has had in recent years. He is better than Van Der Sar, Almunia, Lehman, Reina, Friedel and yes, much better than David James. James was great last year but consistency has never before being a word you’d associate with him, Given on the other hand has always being consistent. Every keeper can have a bad patch, even Schmeichel and Seaman made mistakes, Shay made a few bad ones last year but that doesn’t undo the good work he’s done all his career. Is there a blogger out there who can back up their criticism of him with any facts? Or any kind of intelligent observations or analysis? It is easy to underestimate the value of a goal keeper who has spent most of his career behind one of the worst defenses in the country year on year, but the man is a top class goal keeper and will prove it if he ever decides to get out of Newcastle.
Declan - July 28th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Almunia and Given r both around de same age whod b r first choice keeper
ARSENAL GENERAL - July 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
SHAY GIVEN is one of the best goal keepers in the premiership and would be a perfect addition to the team…..wellcome GIVEN in advance.
dan - July 28th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
i don’t see any material differences between almunia and given. all around they’re both fine. there just aren’t that many schmeichles out there, but what’s the point arsene can’t afford anyone anyway. if he could he should bring in kameni of espanyol, 24 years, africa’s best keep.
Damien Silver - July 29th, 2008 at 11:12 am
I think its a case of the old “nice or neccessary” here.
Whilst it would be nice to have a goalkeeper of Given’s quality and experience in the team, it probably isnt a necessary addition to the squad, because Given (in his prime now) will not want a pay cut, and I dont think Arsenal would give him £55k a week to play 20 to 25 games a season, not when the money could be better spent on a centre back and a midfielder.
Having said that if we can come up with a swap deal involving Senderos I wouldnt say no (no disrespect to Senderos but I dont think he can can ever be a first choice centre back for Arsenal)