Petr Cech
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced that he will hang up his boots at the end of the season after 443 games in the Premier League. Cech holds the record for the most number of clean sheets in Premier League history – 202 – and will certainly go down in history as a legend of the game.
Summer signing Bernd Leno has been Unai Emery’s first choice this season but the German has only managed to keep 2 clean sheets in 19 starts this term. Leno has also made 3 errors that have resulted in a goal this season, which is the worst record in the league along with Asmir Begovic and Jordon Pickford.
David Ospina is on loan in the Serie A at Napoli and according to CalcioMercato, the club will sign the Colombian on a permanent deal in the summer. This leaves Arsenal with Emiliano Martinez and Matt Macey as backups to Leno but both are inexperienced and any injury to Leno could leave Emery in a massive problem.
The Gunners need to sign a keeper who will fight and put pressure on Leno for the number 1 shirt. That said, here are 5 goalkeepers Arsenal should seriously consider to bring in the summer:
The 32-year-old has been the second choice to Thibaut Courtois at Real Madrid this season and has played just 3 games in the La Liga. The 3-time Champions League winner would bring in a lot of experience, leadership and a winning mentality to the Gunners.
Keylor Navas has played over 200 senior games in his career and his quality cannot be questioned. The Costa Rican, with his experience, can push Leno and help the other young goalkeepers at the club take their game to the next level.
Timo Horn showed immense loyalty to Cologne after agreeing to stay at the club following their relegation from the Bundesliga last season.
The 25-year-old has played 19 games so far in Bundesliga 2 as Cologne are 4 points off the top with a game in hand. Horn stands at 6 feet 4 inches and is dominant in the box, has great reactions and is good with the ball in his feet. He will relish the fight with compatriot Leno to become Arsenal’s no.1 and that will only do good to both the keepers, who are aiming to get into the German national team.
Butland plays for Stoke City in the Championship and has started every game this season, keeping 10 clean sheets so far.
He has the experience of playing in the Premier League and his talent is unquestionable. Despite standing at 6 feet 5, Butland is incredibly quick off the line, has exceptional reflexes and can play out from the back with his feet. If Arsenal do sign Butland and he improves his game, then the Englishman can be the Gunners’ goalkeeper for the next 10 years.
Asenjo has played every minute of the season so far in the La Liga and has kept 5 clean sheets. Villareal have had a really poor season so far and are placed 19th in the league. Asenjo has averaged 3.9 saves per game this season and would be a very good signing for the Gunners.
The Spaniard is a penalty specialist and has saved 11 penalties in his career, including ones taken by Neymar and former Gunner, Samir Nasri. If Villareal do get relegated, Arsenal can bag Asenjo for cheap and it’s a situation that Unai Emery should monitor closely.
Perin has only played 6 games for Juventus this season with Massimiliano Allegri preferring former Arsenal man Wojciech Szczęsny between the sticks.
The 26-year-old has been one of Italian football’s top goalkeepers in recent years, having been touted as the immediate successor to Gianluigi Buffon in the national team. Perin is a brilliant shot-stopper, both from distance and from close range, and also has the ability to pass long, something that Unai Emery will love.
Perin is Arsenal’s best option this summer and if they do bag the Juve man, he and Leno will push each other to be one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.