Mark Schwarzer would be a fantastic purchase
Written by Chris Michaels on Monday, June 14, 2010
Arsène doesn't often buy out of Fergie's play-book. The two great managers in English football differ fundamentally in their attitude to experienced players. For Fergie there's a clear belief that experience is something you need – the weight of time, history and medals to help steer teams to trophies. For Arsène it's clear that he thinks experience is something to get as fast as possible through games played – and that a 23 year old as a result can be a veteran!
But our pursuit of Mark Schwarzer, confirmed in Peter Hill-Wood's comments on our failed initial bid for him, is a mimic of Fergie's signing of Edwin Van Der Sar. And I for one think it's a fantastic idea!
Schwarzer's had an amazing season. In a Fulham team that's performed beyond any reasonable expectation, he's been a calm, strong presence. He's commanding, he's a great shot-stopper, and he communicates with his defence. And most importantly, he would come with a clear time-cap – a 2-3 season window over which he could shore up a part of our team where we're hugely vulnerable.
It would be a big change from our general approach, and a definite response to Sol's success this season.
But it would be a signal that our problems can be fixed in a practical way – and that's what Arsenal needs, is solutions to our team's issues that aren't too speculative. That just give us solidity where we're weak and allow the dreamy football to work around them.
So if Fulham can be persuaded to sell, and if the player wants to come to us, then it's a real opportunity for us to bring experience in, to benefit from it and to give us an easy way to concede less goals in the next season.
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