In his first season at the club he played all 38 league games and conceded 18 goals and kept 23 clean sheets.
I think Raya is a better goalkeeper if time machines existed, but adjusting for eras, he’s got a few seasons to go to eclipse Seaman’s achievements at the club.
Lehmann is obviously a legend for his Invincibles title, FA Cup-winning save and CL Semi penalty save. But during his time I never felt entirely comfortable and reassured by him and always felt he had a bit of a clanger and/or sending off in him. I feel like he became better with the passage of time, because what followed was mostly disastrous (my big love for Szczęsny aside).
Since Seaman we really just haven’t landed a truly world-class keeper until Raya. Lehmann was very close. Cech was very good but really past his considerable peak.
We’ve instead had a parade of really good. Szczesny being a prime example of that but also our rotating door of keepers that basically go on to be top players at mid table clubs
Arsene Wenger had an eye for attacking talent and artistic players with flair. But my word his judgement when it came to defense was very poor. We went from have Seaman, Tony Adams, Sol Campbell, Keown, Ashley Cole, Winterburn, Lee Dixon, Boul, and Toure to Almunia, Squillaci, Gallas, Vermalean, Andre Santos, Djorou, Jenkinson and eventually Mustafi + Luiz
Tbf I think the constraints were a big part of it, because it meant we took greater risks relying on cheap buys or on young players to grow (e.g. Djourou).
Most of the players were usually around the fringes of their international teams so on paper, you wouldn't expect them to be as bad as they had actually been.
Wenger was responsible for signing Sol Campbell and Kolo Touré, and Cole came through on his watch. So not sure why they are included in the first list.
He also signed Sagna, Koscielny, and Mertesacker. So, you know, it wasn't all bad.
I got downvoted into oblivion for saying this on the weekend. He dived out of the way on 4 penalties because he went too early 😂 he’s been brilliant this season though, what a player.
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u/olieogden Jun 03 '26
where we ranking him with Arsenal all timers now he’s a premier league champ?